Analog terminal internet access

ABSTRACT

A system and method of effecting transfer of a message such as a voice message from one multipurpose, multimode centralized messaging system in a first switched telephone network to a multipurpose, multimode centralized messaging system in a remote second switched telephone network, wherein each of the telephone networks includes central offices connected to subscriber terminals. The message is inputted in analog or digital, voice or text form by one of the terminals connected to the first telephone network, selectably processed in the messaging system and stored in a selectable digital form in the messaging system in that network. The message is then transferred from that messaging system to the centralized messaging system in the second telephone network where it is selectably processed and stored. The message is delivered by an outgoing call to an addressee terminal in the second telephone network. The transfer between telephone networks and their respective centralized messaging services occurs via the Internet. The transfer occurs through connectionless packet signaling using TCP/IP protocol.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of applications Ser. Nos.08/353,281, 08/371,906, 08/539,952, 08/557,749 and 08/598,769, VoiceMail Communication With Call Blocking, filed Dec. 5, 1994 (attorney Ref.No. 680-085) now U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,442; Voice Mail Communication WithCall Blocking, filed Jan. 12, 1995 (attorney Ref. No. 680-085A) now U.S.Pat. No. 5,631,948; Voice Mail Communication With Call Blocking, filedOct. 6, 1995 (attorney Ref. No. 680-085B) now U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,782;Data Mail Communication With Call Blocking, filed Nov. 13, 1995(attorney Ref. No. 680-085C), and Analog Terminal Internet Access, filedFeb. 9, 1996 (attorney Ref. No. 680-085D), respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to switched communicationsnetworks and providing voice mail services and more particularly relatesto a system and method for providing communication between voicemailboxes in multiple mailbox systems using connectionless packetdelivery via established networking arrangements.

BACKGROUND ART

Voice mail has become commonplace not only in business usage but also onan individual telephone service subscriber basis through Centrex servicefrom a central office. A voice mail system is a specialized computerthat stores messages in digital form on a fixed disk. The voice isgenerally digitized, usually at a much slower rate than the 64 Kb/ssignal the central office uses in its switching network. The digitizedvoice is compressed and stored on a hard disk that maintains the voicemail operating system, system prompts, and greetings, and the messagesthemselves. A processor controls the compressing, storing, retrieving,forwarding and purging of files. A form of early systems is described inMatthews et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,752 (hereinafter the Matthews '752patent), issued in February, 1983, and several related patents.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,906 (hereinafter the Matthews '906 patent), issuedApr. 29, 1986 to Gordon H. Matthews et al. The Matthews '906 patent is acontinuation-in-part of the Matthews '752 patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,129 (hereinafter the Matthews '129 patent), issuedJul. 22, 1986 to Gordon H. Matthews et al. The Matthews '129 patent is acontinuation-in-part of the '752 Matthews patent.

The three Matthews patents each describe a voice mailbox type systemusing digital storage and programmed control to offer a wide variety ofmessage storage, forwarding and delivery type services. The systemarchitecture is essentially the same in each patent disclosure. Withreference to FIG. 3 of the '752 patent, the voice message system (VMS)10 includes an administrative subsystem 60, a number of call processorsubsystems shown as 62A-62C, and a digital data storage subsystem 64.

The call processor subsystems each include a microprocessor based singleboard computer 70, a memory 72 having for example 64K of RAM, acommunication port interface 74, two disk adapters 76, 78 communicatingwith the storage subsystem via two storage buses and a block transferinterface 80 which communicates with the administrative subsystem (FIG.4). The communication port interface 74 provides communication to andfrom the telephone lines via communication port driver modules 90A-B,each of which includes port drivers 92, CODECS 96 and voice connectionarrangements 98 (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 6 of the '752 patent, theadministrative subsystem 60 includes a microprocessor based single boardcomputer 100, a memory 110, a non-volatile memory 112, two disk adapters114, 116 communicating with the storage subsystem via two storage busesand a block transfer interface 118 which communicates with the callprocessor subsystems.

In the '752 system, a message router program is informed of eachoccurrence of a new incoming message stored in the system. This programcreates a message control block on disc for each message, and themessage is thereby queued to each of the addresses selected by theperson sending the message (see the '752 patent, Column 29, lines 5-16).As disclosed in the '752 patent, to deposit a message (FIG. 11), a usercalls the VMS. The VMS answers the call and transmits an initial promptmessage to the caller. The caller then inputs a unique authorizationcode identifying that person as a subscriber to the VMS service. Uponreceipt of a valid authorization code, the VMS transmits a shortprogress tone and accepts an series of dialed digits representing anaddress input from the subscriber. Typically, an address is a singletelephone number. The '752 system also offers the subscriber the optionto select a previously established distribution list including a numberof such addresses. After entry of all necessary address informationidentifying one or more destinations, the user inputs a “1” to initiatevoice recording and then transmits a voice message. The VMS stores thevoice message in one of the digital disc storage units 120 within thedata storage subsystem 64 (FIG. 7). The user is then given the option todeposit another message, inquire about messages stored for thesubscriber or terminate the session by hanging up.

To retrieve and replay stored messages, a subscriber initiates a routinereferred to in the '752 patent as the INQUIRY feature (see FIG. 21). Auser can enter this routine after completion of message deposit asdiscussed above, or the user can initiate an inquiry by calling the VMS.Again, the VMS initially answers the call and transmits the openingprompt message to the caller. The caller inputs his or her uniqueauthorization code which is verified by the VMS. The caller then entersa special function code (SFC) for an INQUIRY. The VMS determines whetheror not any messages have been recorded for this subscriber. If there areno messages, the VMS plays a canned prompt so informing the subscriber.However, if there are messages recorded for the current caller, the VMSprovides another canned message, and the person initiates playback bydialing a “2” (Column 26, lines 42-61). The caller can control thereplay of the messages using additional dialed digit inputs, for exampleto repeat all or a segment of a message or to skip all or a segment of amessage (table bridging Columns 23 and 24).

The VMS system disclosed in the '752 patent will also automaticallydeliver messages to the identified addressees. In the DELIVERY routine(FIG. 15), the VMS calls the addressed recipient by dialing thatperson's telephone number. If the call is answered, the VMS plays acanned announcement which includes a request for the person answeringthe call to enter her unique authorization code. If there is no answer,the line is busy or the answering person does not enter the correctauthorization code, the VMS will attempt to deliver the message againafter a specified time period. When the answering party has responded byentering a valid authorization code, the VMS emits an idle tone, and theperson can initiate playback by dialing a “2”. The person listening tomessage playback can control the replay using additional dialed digitinputs, as discussed above (see Column 23, lines 30-65). The user isthen given the option to redirect the message to another destination,deposit a reply message, save the message, or file the message for longterm storage.

In the reply routine, the user records a message for the sender of themessage just replayed. In the redirect routine, the user enters a newaddress, and if desired, records a new message. The new message isappended to the original message already held in digital storage, andboth messages are delivered to the new addressee using the DELIVERYroutine discussed above ('752 patent, Column 25, lines 41-59, and FIG.18).

The file function disclosed in the '752 patent transfers a message to a“verbal file folder” for long term storage and later retrieval (Column26, lines 11-18).

The '906 and '129 patents include the subject matter of the parent '752patent discussed in detail above. The '906 and '129 patents, however,add a number of message processing features. For example, these patentsadd a delivery option referred to as “TIME-I.D. VALIDITY”, which allowsthe user to specify a recipient and a date and time for delivery of astored message.

The '906 and '129 patents also expressly describe storing messages foran identified subscriber in terms of depositing messages “in the user'saddress”. For example, one feature added in these patents is a “PriorityHold” feature. As described, if the deposited message meets certainpriority conditions, the “VMS would automatically dial the user'stelephone rather than deposit the message in the user's address, therebyforcing delivery” ('906 patent, Column 58, lines 4-12). Similarly, thesepatents describe depositing messages “in the user owner's RO messageaddress”, as will be discussed in more detail below (see, e.g., '906patent, Column 70, lines 51-53). Such references to depositing messagesin a “user's address” indication that the addressing of messages foreach subscriber in the Matthews et al. system defines “message baskets.”

The '906 and '129 patents also disclose several features which permitaccess by non-subscribers. For example, a subscriber can be assigned areceive only (RO) message address. To receive messages from a subscriberby using this address, a non-subscriber may call the VMS using a directinward dial line (DID). In the specific example given in the patents,the subscriber might activate a call forwarding feature in the TELCOnetwork whereby calls to her home telephone number are automaticallyforwarded to the DID/RO number into the VMS. When such a DID call comesin, whether forwarded or connected directly in response to dialing theDID number, the TELCO network will forward the last three or four digitsof the DID number to the VMS system. The VMS uses the received digits toidentify the RO address. If the subscriber prestored any messages in theRO address, the VMS will play those messages to the caller, otherwisethe VMS will play a canned prompt indicating that the subscriber is notin ('906 patent, Column 69, lines 27-62).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,081, issued Nov. 25, 1986, to Lawrence A. Lotito, etal. (hereinafter referred to as the “Lotito patent”). Referring to FIG.1, the patent describes an automated telephone voice service system 100which provides automatic recording and editing of voice messages as wellas forwarding of recorded voice messages to other accounts and telephonenumbers with or without operator assistance.

The system includes a data store 104 coupled to store and retrieve voicemessages at each of a plurality of individually addressable messagebaskets 1-N and a control system 102 providing a selective couplingbetween the store and each of a plurality of telephone lines of atelephone network 108.

The data store may be physically implemented as one or more magnetic orelectronic storage devices and may be distributed throughout a dataprocessing system. The data store provides storage for a plurality ofaddressable message baskets, a plurality of individually addressablevoice message prompts and client greetings, and an audit trail for eachclient accessing the system.

Each message basket provides storage for a plurality of voice messagesand is segregated into an inbasket section and an outbasket section. Theinbasket functions in a manner analogous to a recording mechanism for atelephone answering machine and stores voice messages and messageforwarding notices directed by system users to account owners of theassociated message basket. The outbasket portion receives voice messagesfor forwarding to selected other message baskets or to telephone network108 users at indicated telephone numbers.

In a fully automatic mode, the control system 102 can operate to callthe indicated telephone number and upon its being answered, communicatean appropriate recorded voice message prompt, communicate the voicemessage being sent, and then terminate the call. As an example, thevoice message prompt might inform the person answering the telephone atthe indicated number that the person is about to receive a prerecordedmessage from the account owner. The account owner, when setting up hisaccount, establishes predetermined distribution lists and sets ofdelivery instructions. The delivery instructions can cover such featuresas days of the week and time intervals during which delivery may bemade, number of retries, and whether the forwarding of the message is tobe accomplished automatically or semiautomatically with operatorassistance.

In a semiautomatic mode, the control system 102 waits for deliveryconditions to be met, and then obtains ownership of an active operatorconsole 106 including a terminal having a keyboard and a video displayunit and an operator headset. The control unit informs an operatorthrough the console 106 that a semiautomated message forwardingoperation is to be undertaken and displays a prompting message for theoperator to read. Upon command, the control system generates the TouchTone signals corresponding to the recipient's telephone number andconnects the operator console 106 to the line when it is answered. Theoperator informs the answering party of the call, asks to talk to aparticular person at the called telephone number if appropriate, andsecures the permission of the called party to forward the voice message.The operator then commands the control system to communicate the voicemessage stored in the outbasket to the called telephone line asindicated by arrow 114.

For voice messages forwarded to another inbasket rather than to atelephone number, the voice message is not actually recorded induplicate in each of the designated inbaskets. Instead, a notificationis stored in the inbasket which indicates that a forwarded message isstored by the system for delivery to the owner of the forwarding messagebasket. The notification indicates the particular outbasket and theparticular message within the outbasket which is being forwarded. Thisenables the person sending the message to retain ownership of themessage in his own outbasket and selectively change or delete themessage until it has actually been delivered. Depending upon thedelivery instructions of the sender and the preselected instructions ofthe recipient, a forwarded message might simply wait for delivery untilthe recipient retrieves the receipt of a message in his inbasket by apaging signal communicated over a paging system (not shown), by theillumination of an indicator light at the recipient's telephone, or by atelephone call to the recipient's telephone number informing therecipient by a prerecorded message that a message has been received inthe recipient's inbasket.

The prompts and client greeting section of the data store 104 stores aplurality of individually addressable voice message prompts explaininghow to operate the voice service system and a client greeting for eachinbasket. The greeting invites the caller to leave a message but doesnot identify the specific owner of the inbasket which has been accessedby the call. Each client may record and change his own personal greetingat will.

The audit trail portion of the data store 104 stores a record for eachcaller accessing the system of the commands which have been given to thesystem by the caller. This record enables the control system to selectparticular voice message prompts.

The particular functions executed by the control system depend upon bywhich one of the functionally different types of telephone lines thecontrol system is accessed and upon the keyboard commands which areentered.

The control system responds to an incoming call on a client's normal usetelephone line (secretarial line) by waiting for a predetermined numberof rings and then answering the telephone. The client greeting isaccessed in the data store and communicated to the caller. The caller isinvited to leave a message, which remains in the client's inbasket untilretrieved by the client. A sophisticated caller who is familiar with thesystem is free to edit the voice message.

Another type of line upon which a call might come into the system is adirect incall line. This line is dedicated to the particular inbasket ofthe client and is not available for general use by the client.

A general incall line is similar to a direct incall line except that itis not associated with any particular message basket or inbasket. Uponaccessing the system through a general incall line, a caller is promptedto enter a message basket number. The caller then is able to leave amessage in a selected basket.

A general access line is intended primarily for clients of the VSS andaffords the broadest range of system functions. Upon calling in on ageneral access line, a client is prompted to enter his personal IDnumber if he desires to have access to the ownership privileges of hisown account. This provides immediate access to message retrieval and thecontrol system informs the caller whether or not there are any messageswithin his inbasket and, if there are, begins communicating the voicemessages over the connected telephone line. Before each message isretrieved, the caller is informed of the age of the message. Afterreviewing the incoming messages, the caller is informed of the status ofany outgoing messages in the caller's outbasket which are awaitingdelivery.

The telephone voice service system is implemented with a data processingsystem. As shown in FIG. 2 a telephone network 108 provides a number ofphysically different types of telephone lines to which connection mustbe made by the service system. Through a concentrator 202 up to 640secretarial lines are connected to a telephone room subsystem 206.Telephone room subsystems 214 and 216 are connected to special servicetelephone lines such as DID or DX tie lines. The concentrator andtelephone room subsystems are physically located at one or moretelephone company central offices or client PABX centers. The telephoneroom subsystems operate as interfaces between the digital portion of theservice system and the analog telephone lines and trunks. It is possiblefor each telephone room subsystem to connect to up to 1260 voice gradecircuit terminations. The system can accommodate up to 4 telephone roomsubsystems.

Up to 4 real time subsystems receive the voice and control data from the4 telephone room subsystems. The real time subsystems provide selectedswitching connection between channels and communicate with aninformation processing system 250 for storage and retrieval of voicemessages and system control.

An interactive service subsystem 252 provides a communication connectionbetween the information processing system 250 and input/output devicesfor the service system. The input/output devices may include keyboarddisplay terminals 266, 268 and 270 within operator consoles 106, aprinter 262 and a card reader 264.

In addition to the systems described in the foregoing patents networkingof voice mail systems has also been implemented to permit users in onelocation to use voice mail in other locations. The simplest form ofnetworking voice mail is to use guest mailboxes, which are boxesassigned to persons outside the system. Another method of networkingvoice mail has been to terminate the voice mail on one switch andconnect other switches to the central switch with networking software. Athird method has been to network the voice mail systems themselves.However, generally speaking, the networked systems must be of the samemanufacture because there are no standards for communication betweensystems. Work is underway to develop a set of standards known as AudioMessage Interchange Service (AMIS) in the hope that when AMIS standardsare approved, they will form a common language that network voice mailsystems can support so voice mail of different manufacture cancommunicate.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a systemand method for effecting mailbox to mailbox communication in anexpeditious and economical fashion basically utilizing existingequipment and network facilities. It is a feature of the invention thatit permits such communication between mailbox equipment of differentmanufacturers. It is a still further feature of the invention that thisis accomplished while blocking off the voice trunking network andblocking ringing of the telephone station corresponding to the recipientmailbox. This provides a significant lightening of the traffic load onthe network trunking system, among other advantages which will becomeapparent upon the following description of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention the local to remotemailbox-to-mailbox transfer is accomplished through the use of existingcommon channel signaling (CCS) packet networks and preferably throughCCS Advanced Intelligent Networks (AIN). According to another embodimentof the invention the local to remote mailbox-to-mailbox transfer isaccomplished through the use of the internetwork commonly referred to asthe “Internet.” This embodiment of the invention possesses the advantagethat the Internet is presently operative on a world wide basis whereasinterconnection of the existing AIN's of telephone operating companieshas not yet been implemented over the entire United States. This ispartially due to regulatory constraints and partially due to limitationsin the common channel signaling systems of some telephone companies.While Internet users are presently able to engage in a limited form ofvoice communication using specialized computer programs, these aretailored to existing Internet procedures and facilities. Bothparticipants in such communication must be Internet literate, haveaccess to the Internet via computers meeting the necessary hardware andsoftware requirements, be running compatible voice programs in theirrespective computers, and virtually simultaneously effect Internetconnection in their respective locales. As a result such communicationsmust be prearranged.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Architecture of Switched Telephone Networks Using an AdvancedIntelligent Network (AIN)

According to the present invention it has been discovered that it ispossible to implement mailbox to mailbox data communication to transfervoice messages using the existing advanced intelligent network (AIN) inpublic switched telecommunications networks in the United States. TheAIN conventionally provides services based on feature logic and datalocated at a centralized node in the network known as a Service ControlPoint (SCP). Appropriately equipped switches in the network, known asService Switching Points (SSPs), communicate with the SCP and togetherthey provide various AIN services. The SSP knows which calls require AINservice based on characteristics of the call, such as the line itoriginated from or the digits that were dialed. The process ofidentifying calls that require AIN processing is known as “triggering”,since a particular characteristic of the call “triggers” to switch intoproviding AIN treatment. Once a trigger occurs, a query message is sentto the SCP asking for instructions. Based on information contained inthe query message, the SCP determines which service is being requestedand provides appropriate information such as routing and billinginstructions that the SSP then executes to complete the call. Only theSCP “knows” which service is being performed on a particular call. TheSSP simply knows how to identify calls that require AIN processing andhow to execute instructions provided by the SCP. For this reason, twoservices that are very different from the viewpoint of the subscriberand the SCP may appear identical to the SSP since it performs the samebasic functions for both.

Current program controlled switches such as the AT&T 5ESS and 1AESS andcomparable switches from other manufacturers are provided with anAdvanced Services Platform (ASP) which provides SSP and Network AccessPoint (NAP) capabilities. ASP provides services independent triggeringand call processing capabilities and also supports OA&M (Operations,Administration and Maintenance). These capabilities interwork with manyexisting switch based features. SSP capabilities enable end offices andaccess tandem offices to interface with SCP databases using CommonChannel Signaling 7 (CCS7) Transaction Capabilities Application Part(TCAP) protocol to implement services. These services include standardequal access multi-frequency (EAMF) and CCS7-ISDN user part (ISUP)interfaces to a network access point (NAP) switch, standard CCS7-TCAPinterfaces to an SCP database, call processing triggers, non-callprocessing triggers such as test queries, customized announcements underthe control of an SCP, such as terminating announcement or playannouncement and collect digits, connection control under control of theSCP, business and residence custom services (BRCS) interworking, newterminating restrictions, ISDN interworking, notification of calltermination (returned to SCP), enhancements for OA&M, and billing undercontrol of the SCP. Further details are provided in AT&T 235-190-125October, 1990. As there described, voice mail is readily implemented.

According to the present invention caller to remote mailbox and/ormailbox to remote mailbox communication is provided using TCAP and SS7messaging in the AIN while blocking or obviating trunking of voicemessages. This is advantageously accomplished using existing voice mailequipment because that equipment is currently interfaced to thetelephone network and is fully responsive to TCAP and SS7 protocols.

According to the invention, a caller desiring to leave a voice messagein the mailbox of a remote person may use a telephone to access his ownvoice mail system and mailbox and speak the message. The voiceprocessing unit of the mailbox may operate its voice menu to direct thecaller to depress a specified key when satisfied with the message. Itmay then query the caller as to whether he desires to send the messageand, if so, to depress another specified key. The voice unit then mayinstruct the caller as to the procedure for keying in the identity ofthe destination and to depress a further specified key to send themessage. The message is digitized in conventional fashion and stored inthe mailbox of the sender. The caller may go on hook after depressingthe designated send key. The depression of the send key causes thegeneration of a tone or other signal which is recognized by the actingSSP as a trigger. This local connection ends usage of the voice network.

The trigger causes the SSP to frame a TCAP inquiry message which isdirected to the SCP for instructions. The TCAP message includesinformation identifying the calling station and mailbox and the calledstation and the fact that the caller is requesting mailbox to mailboxmessage transfer. The SCP consults its database to establish whether thecaller is authorized to communicate mailbox-to-mailbox and as to theexistence and identity of a mailbox for the called number. The SCP thenoriginates a response to the SSP to dispatch one or more SS7 packets tothe called directory number and mailbox along with an appropriaterouting label and handling instructions and carrying as the includedinformation in the SS7 packet the digitized voice retrieved from themailbox of the sender. The information may be in T1 protocol which isconventionally the output digital signal of mailbox equipment regardlessof manufacture.

Thus any translation which is necessary between the digitized message inthe mailbox and the T1 or equivalent protocol used in the SS7 packetsinherently occurs in the equipment furnished by the manufacturer.

The number of SS7 packets which may be required will be dependent uponthe length of the message as in conventional packet communication. Eachpacket includes a suitable header which permits reassembly in theoriginal order at the destination. The fact that the packets may notarrive at the destination in the same order as originated is of noconsequence in that real time voice communication is not involved in thetransfer.

The dispatched SS7 packet communication proceeds through the commonchannel signaling SS7 network until all of the packets are received atthe destination. It is a feature of the invention that the redundancy ofthe SS7 network and packet switching techniques may entail individualpackets traveling different routes to the same destination. Thisredundancy is utilized as a feature of the invention to enable theexisting SS7 network to handle the digital packet communication involvedwithout overload.

When the packets reach the destination SSP and end office (EO) thepacket headers contain the necessary information to direct the packetsdirectly into the mailbox without setting up a connection to theassociated telephone station and without initiating ringing of thetelephone. The packets arrive in their transmitted form containing T1protocol digitized voice which the recipient mailbox equipment isdesigned to receive and deposit as a digitized voice signal in themailbox. Again, any necessary translation is accomplished by theexisting mailbox equipment by virtue of the fact that its vendor mustassure that it is compatible with the switched telephone network.Deposit of the message in the destination mailbox is followed by thecustomary notification of the mailbox proprietor that a message iswaiting. The proprietor may then access the mailbox in conventionalfashion and have the message delivered as an audio voice message in theusual fashion. The recipient then has the option of returning a messagein a converse fashion by depressing predetermined keys at his telephonestation which utilizes the information in the packet header to reversethe origination and destination identifications.

Because current model SCP's include billing modules they can also effectbilling. The data is sent out through the ISCP so that it can either bedirected to the revenue accounting office on a direct line or send aTCAP message back into the SSP or end office switch to the originatingnumber responsible for the origination of the call. Billing can beaccomplished in any desired fashion, such as in bits per second, callsetup, number of packets, or any combination or the same. The billinginformation may go into the journal on the switch to be forwarded to therevenue accounting office. The system of the invention is particularlysuited to delivery of the same mailbox message to multiple mailboxdestinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a Public Switched Telephone Network and itsSS7 signal control network.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate in graphic and tabular form respectively theprotocol of an SS7 data signal.

FIG. 4 shows a simplified diagram of a public switched telephone networkequipped with central messaging systems for implementing the system andmethod of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows details of a voice mail system usable with the inventionand incorporated in one type of telephone network;

FIG. 6 shows the voice mail system of FIG. 5 incorporated in a commonchannel signaling network.

FIG. 7 illustrates a packet carrying digital message informationaccording to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a simplified diagram of a public switched telephonenetworks equipped with central messaging systems for implementing thesystem and method of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows the voice mail system of FIG. 5 connected to an Internetinterface and the Internet.

FIG. 10 illustrates an integrated Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) ina telephone network providing voice and data communications connectivityand suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic programcontrolled switch which may be used in the telephone networks of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of an Intelligent Peripheral (IP)suitable for use in the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an Intelligent Peripheral(IP) suitable for use in the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One system for providing a Common Channel Signaling Network (CCSN)utilizes Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol in a Packet Switched DataNetwork (PSDN) connecting Network Elements (NE) via packet switched 56Kb digital data circuits. In addition to providing call set signalingfunctions, the SS7 network also provides access to switching controlpoints (SCP's) used to permit line identification database (LIDB)look-up for 800 services. Class services also use the SS7 network toprovide custom call features. The latest services using the SS7 networkcomprise Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services. AIN services usethe SS7 network to access an Integrated Switching Control Point (ISCP)where AIN service functions are performed.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a block diagram of a public switchedtelephone network and the SS7 network that is used to control thesignaling for the switched network. Thus an analog switched telephonenetwork is generally indicated at 10 having a common channel signalingnetwork in the form of an SS7 network illustrated generally at 12. Theswitched telephone network consists of a series of central offices whichare conventionally referred to as signaling points (SPs or SSPs) inreference to the SS7 network. Certain of these SPs comprise end offices(EOs) illustrated at 14, 16, 18 and 20 as EOs 1-4 in FIG. 1. Eachsignaling point has a point code comprising a 9-digit code assigned toevery node in the network. In FIG. 1 EO1 has a point code of246-103-001, EO2 has a point code of 246-103-002, EO3 has a point codeof 255-201-103, and EO4 has a point code of 255-201-104.

The end offices EO1 and EO2 represent end offices in the region of oneregional operating company, while end offices EO3 and EO4 represent endoffices of the region of a different operating company. Each operatingcompany has its own network ID, shown here as 246 for the left regionand 255 for the right region in FIG. 1. The number 103 in thedesignation 246-103-001, is the number of the cluster. A cluster canhold 32 SPs or members, the member being designated by the final 3numbers. Thus 246 may represent C & P of Virginia Regional OperatingCompany, cluster 103, member EO2 for EO2 when viewed from an SS7standpoint. The broken lines connecting the SPs together may be analogtrunks or voice or similar circuits. The SPs in a given region areconnected together by local trunks 22, 24 and 26 in the left region and28, 30 and 32 in the right region. The SPs in one region are connectedto the SPs in other regions via inter-exchange carrier network trunks orICN trunks 34 and 36 in FIG. 1 connected to Access Tandems (ATs) 38 and40 (AT1 and AT2). These SPs or ATs are shown as having point codes246-103-003 and 255-201-101 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 1, the SS7 network 12 comprises a series of SignalTransfer Points (STPs) shown here at 40, 42, 44 and 46 designated STP1,STP2, STP3 and STP4. Each STP in a network is connected to the SPs inthe network by A links indicated at 48, 50, 52 and 54. STP1 and STP2constitute a mated pair of STPs connected by C links 56 while STP3 andSTP4 constitute a mated pair connected by C links 58, each mated pairserving its respective transport area. It will be understood that theremay be multiple mated pairs per region, one for each designatedtransport area. STP1 is connected to STP3 by B link 60 and to STP4 by Dlink 62. STP2 is connected to STP4 by B link 64 and to STP3 by D link66.

As will be understood, the A, B, C and D links are physically identicalwith the designation relating to cost in terms of ease of access. The Alinks represent the lowest cost. B and D links have the same route costwith respect to SS7 so that the D designation is used only because itextends diagonally in the drawing. The C links are used to communicatebetween the two paired STPs for network management information and alsoconstitute another route. The STPs in mated pairs have the sametranslations. Thus the translations in STP1 are the same as thetranslations in STP2, and the translations in STP3 are the same as thetranslations in STP4. The C links communicate between the paired STPsfor network management information and SS7 message routing. The STP paircannot function without the C links. Therefore, unnecessary utilizationof the C links causes congestion and prevents the paired STPs fromperforming their intended function.

The STPs are connected to Signal Control Points (SCPs) indicated in FIG.1 as an SCP 68 and an ISCP 70. The ISCP is an Integrated SignalingControl Point, which is basically the same as an SCP but comprises alarger and more powerful computer. AIN may also be regarded as anotherISCP. SCPs are usually used for 800 and credit card services with ISCPsbeing used for AIN. However, this is optional. The ISCP may holdapplication information as well as routing information whereas an SCPcontains routing information, i.e., routing tables.

The SS7 network constitutes a highly redundant data network, generally a56K switched data circuit. By way of example, an SS7 message from EO2 toEO4 might travel any one of 8 possible routes. It could go from EO2 toSTP1, from STP1 to STP3, STP3 to EO4. One variation on that route wouldbe from STP1 down the D link 62 to STP4 to EO4, and so forth. In theevent that a link between STP3 and EO4 was lost, an SS7 route could beestablished from EO2 to EO4 via STP1 to STP3 and then via C link 58 toSTP4 to EO4. However, that would be an undesirable route inunnecessarily using the C link. A links provide direct connectivitywhile C links provide circuitous routes using extra switches, asituation to be avoided. An alternate route would be from STP1 via Dlink 62 to STP4 to EO4. Another reason for not using the C link is toavoid tying up the entire STP3-STP4 pair.

The operation of placing a call from EO2 to EO4 may be described asfollows: The user at EO2 picks up his phone and dials the number thatresides in EO4. The SP generates an Initial Address Message (IAM). Thismessage would have the destination point code of EO4, namely, point code255-201-104. It would have an originating point code of EO2, namely,246-103-002, in addition to miscellaneous other information needed forcall set-up. That message would then be sent to either STP1 or STP2.Assuming that the message goes to STP1, STP1 would look at the messageand determine that the message was not for it as an STP but rather isfor EO4. STP1 would then investigate possible routings to get to 255 orEO4. B and D links are available and STP1 would choose one of the two.Assuming that it chooses the B link to STP3, STP3 repeats the sameprocedure. It determines that the message is for 255 or EO4 and putsthat message on the A link to EO4.

EO4 gets the IAM which has the called telephone number in it anddetermines whether or not the line is busy. If the line is not busy, EO4generates an Address Complete Message (ACM) to indicate that it receivedthe request for a call and that the number is not busy. That message issent back by simply reversing the point codes. Now the destination pointcode is EO2 and the originating point code is EO4. The message goes backto EO2 to indicate that the IAM was received and processed. As soon asthe phone is answered at EO4, EO4 sends an Answer Message (ANS) back toEO2 indicating that the phone at EO4 was picked up, and at that time thetrunks are connected together. EO2 connects its user to that trunk andEO4 connects its user to that trunk so that communication isestablished. All such messaging may occur in about 600 millisecondswhich would be average but not necessarily fast.

The foregoing constitutes the function of the STPs insofar as routing isconcerned. The STPs look at a point code and if it is not for them theyjust pass it on via a route determined from translations and routingtables. The C link is the last route permitted and is not utilizedunless no other route is available.

As opposed to the foregoing, where the point code was for EO4 and notSTP1, the point code may be for STP1. One example of such a situationwould be the case of an 800 call. The 800 number is a fictitious numberwhich is associated with a POTS number in a database in the SCP. Thus ifEO2 makes an 800 call to EO4 it is necessary to determine the realtelephone number. EO2 launches a Switching Connection Control Park(SCCP) message, which is a database request. This point code has adestination point code of an alias which is the point code of STP1 andSTP2. STP1 and STP2 have various point codes indicated in FIG. 1 as246-100-000 and 246-101-000. They also have alias point codes thatindicate that they have a function to perform. Upon recognizing such apoint code the STP does a data search and generates another SCP messageto perform a database dip. This returns the real telephone number andthe STP now has the destination point code of the real telephone numbermessage. This is sent back to EO2. STP1 determines that this message isnot for me but for EO2. The message is sent back down to EO2. EO2 nowhas a real telephone number and the system performs the IAM and ACMprocedure all over again to set up the call. The only difference betweena regular direct call and an 800 call is the necessity to perform thedip to obtain the real number first. This procedure takes about 1.3seconds because of the additional operation. The STPs have variousdatabases, such as the 800 database and the credit card database, andthere is still a further database for AIN. It is these databases whichare utilized for the purposes of the present invention.

The SS7 protocol describes how the signal messages are built and routedand provides for network management of the SS7 network itself. Thus if alink between EO4 and STP3 were to be lost, STP3 generates a transferrestricted message (TFR) to all nodes, i.e., all SPs connected to STP3,indicating that traffic is not to be sent to STP3 for EO4 because noroute from STP3 to EO4 exists. If both A links to EO4 were down, EO4would essentially be isolated and the STP pair STP3 STP4 would broadcasta transfer prohibited (TFP) message indicating that nothing should besent to the pair for EO4.

In the transfer restricted situation it would be possible for STP3 toreach EO4 via the C link to STP4. This is a non-favored route but wouldbe used in necessity. Handling such situations is the purpose of networkmanaging messages. Congestion control or TFC accomplishes basically thesame thing except that it constitutes a more sophisticated messagelimiting use of a circuit by stopping messages below a certain priority.Each message has a different priority. IAMs have a priority of 1 whereANS messages have a priority of 2.

Upon congestion occurring in the STP node for EO4 a new call could notbe sent to EO4 because it constitutes a priority 1 message which isrestricted because the congestion level is 2. Only priority 2 messagesand higher would be permitted. If a call is already existing it could beanswered or released. Releases have a priority of 2 to permit callcompletion. New calls could not be initiated until the congestion hadbeen removed or lowered to congestion status 1 or 0.

The SS7 network constitutes a sophisticated network having a highpredictability which is spelled out in the predetermined protocol. TheSS7 messages traverse the network at all times. The messages themselvescomprise digital serial messages of various length that come into theSTP. The start of the message is identified by a flag which is a zerofollowed by 6 ones and another 0. This constitutes a unique bit patternin the SS7 protocol. The protocol ensures that this particular patternis not repeated until the next message. This provides a flag at thebeginning of a new message. A flag at the end of a message is alsoprovided usually in the form of the flag at the beginning of the nextmessage, i.e., a message usually contains only one flag. The message isarranged in 8 bits or in octets. These octets represent the informationcarried by the message. The message contains both fixed and variableparameters. The Message Transport Part (MTP) of the SS7 message isalways in the same place. The values change but the MTP is always in thesame place.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the start of a message is indicated at 72with the commencement of the flag 74. The first 7 bits following theflag constitute the Backward Sequence Number (BSN). The eighth bit isthe backward indicator bit which is used to track whether messages havebeen received correctly. The backward sequence number was the forwardsequence of the other node's message when it was sent. Referring to FIG.1, if EO2 sends a message to EO4, EO2s include a Forward Sequence Number(FSN) in the 3rd octet of its message. Upon receiving this message, EO4will include a Backward Sequence Number (BSN) equal to the FSN sent inthe previous message in its next message to EO2. This indicated to EO2that EO4 received the first message. This constitutes a positiveacknowledgment of receipt of a message. If the eighth bit of the secondoctet or Backward Indicator Bit (BIB) is inverted, it indicates afailure to receive the identified message. If the 8th bit in the 2ndoctet, Backward Indicator Bit (BIB), is inverted, it tells the receivingnode that the identified message was not received. The accompanying BSNrepresents the last message that was received. The receiving node willthen invert its Forward Indicating Bit (FIB), 8th bit of the 3rd octet,acknowledging a retransmission remission request, and will begin to sendthe missing messages until the transmitting end successfullyacknowledges all remaining messages, i.e.:

EO2 sends a message with a FSN of 5 to EO4;

EO4 transmits a message back to EO2 with an inverted BIB and a BSN of 2,indicating that was the last message it received;

EO2 then inverts its FIB and retransmits message 3;

If EO4 acknowledges this message correctly (BSN of 3) EO2 willretransmit message 4 and then 5.

Thus between the BIB and FIB and BSN and FSN, the STP keeps track of allof the messages sent between the two nodes at each end of a link. Thisprovides predictability. If a node fails to receive an acknowledgmentwithin a predetermined period of time it will take the link out ofservice because it is receiving no acknowledgments. This is usually ashort period of time such as 1.6 seconds.

Every 8 bits represents another part of the message until the end of themessage. At about the fourth octet there is a length indicator toindicate the length of the message. In this case the message is bad inthat it indicates six which is not a complete message. Assuming acomplete message where the length indicator indicates 23 octets, thisprovides another means for error detection. Thus if the recipient countsto 28 this indicates that something is wrong and the message is sentagain.

Octet 5 is the Service Information Octet (SIO). This indicates whetherit is a Fill In Signal Unit (FISU), Link Service Signaling Unit (LSSU)or Message Signaling Unit (MSU). MSUs are used for setting up calls or800, LSSUs are used for alignment, and FISUs are fill in signals. Thusan LSSU is seen only if the link is out of service and going back intoservice or going out of service.

Octets 6-11 contain the point codes. Thus the point code 235-81-8198 isthe point code which would be read in FIG. 3. This is backwards as itcomes from the message which arrives number, cluster, network ID in theorder of bits received. That constitutes the routing label telling theSTP and the nodes where the message came from and where it is going.Other parameters are involved depending upon the kind of message. Ifthis were a FISU, that would be it. There would be 16 other bits thathave Cyclic Redundancy Codes (CRCs) in them and another flag which wouldconstitute the end. CRCs constitute a further error detection code whichis a legal 1 function in the protocol. From the foregoing it will beseen that the messages contain various fields. This describes the basicformat of an SS7 message which is the same for all messages of the sametype.

The SS7 protocol consists of four basic subprotocols:

Message Transfer Part (MTP), which provides functions for basic routingof signaling messages between signaling points.

Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP), which provides additionalrouting and management functions for transfer of messages other thancall set-up between signaling points.

Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP), which provides fortransfer of call set-up signaling information between signaling points.

Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP), which provides fortransfer of non-circuit related information between signaling points.

Architecture of A Telephone Network with Voice Mail

In FIG. 5, there is shown a voice mail implementing communication systemwhich includes at least one switching system 110 and at least onecentralized message service voice mail system 120. The switching system110 may be a local or “end office” type telephone central office switch,such as a 1AESS or 5ESS switch sold by American Telephone and Telegraph.

The end office switching system 110 typically includes, among othercomponents, a space or time division switching matrix, a centralprocessing unit, an input/output device and one or more datacommunication units. Structurally, the switching system 110 is astandard central office telephone switch. Each subscriber has at leastone piece of customer premises equipment, illustrated as telephonestation sets 131 to 133. Local telephone lines 135 to 137 serve ascommunication links between each of the telephone station sets 131 to133 and the end office switching system 110. Although shown astelephones in FIG. 5, the subscriber station equipment can comprise anycommunication device compatible with the line. Where the line is astandard voice grade telephone line, for example, the subscriber stationequipment could include facsimile devices, modems etc.

The centralized message service or voice mail system in the illustratedexample comprises voice messaging equipment such as a voice mail system120. Although referred to as “voice” messaging equipment, equipment 120may have the capability of storing messages of a variety of differenttypes as well as voice messages. For example, a single system 120 mayreceive incoming messages in the form of audible messages, such as voicemessages, as well as text format data messages. The voice messagingequipment 120 may also store messages in an image data format, such asfacsimile. Message service systems having the capability to storemessages in a variety of audible, data and image formats are known, seee.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,110 to Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,926to Misholi and U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,700 to Matthews et al.

The illustrated voice mail system 120 includes a digital switchingsystem (DSS) 121, a master control unit (MCU) 123, a number of voiceprocessing units (VPUs) 125 and a master interface unit (MIU) orconcentrator 127. The master control unit (MCU) 123 of the voice mailsystem 120 is a personal computer type device programmed to controloverall operations of the system 120.

Each of the voice processing units 125 also is a personal computer typedevice. The voice processing units 125 each include or connect to one ormore digital mass storage type memory units (not shown) in which theactual messages are stored. The mass storage units, for example, maycomprise magnetic disc type memory devices. Although not specificallyillustrated in the drawing, the voice processing units 125 also includeappropriate circuitry to transmit and receive audio signals via T1 typedigital audio lines. To adapt the system 120 to receive informationother than voice and/or offer services other than voice mail, one ormore of VPUs 125 might be reprogrammed to run other types ofapplications and/or process other types of incoming information. Forexample, one such unit might process facsimile information, one mightprocess E-mail, etc.

An Ethernet type digital network 129 carries data signals between theMCU 123 and the voice processing units 125. The Ethernet network 129also carries stored messages, in digital data form, between the variousvoice processing units 125. The system 120 further includes T1 typedigitized audio links 128 between the DSS switch 121 and each of thevoice processing units 125.

The voice mail system 120 connects to the switching system 110 via anumber of simplified message desk interface (SMDI) type data lines 141.Specifically, these SMDI links 141 connect between one or more dataunits (not shown) in the end office switching system 110 and the MIU 127in system 120. Each SMDI line 141 carries 2400 baud RS-232 data signalsin both directions between the voice mail system 120 and the switchingsystem 110. The MIU 127 is a data concentrator which effectivelyprovides a single connection of as many as 32 SMDI lines into the MCU123 of the voice mail system.

The voice mail system 120 also connects to the end office switchingsystem 110 via a number of voice lines 143 which form a multi-line huntgroup (MLHG) between the switch matrix within the switching system 110and the DSS switch 121 of the voice mail system 120. Typically, the MLHGlines 143 consist of a number of T1 type trunk circuits which each carry24 voice channels in digital time division multiplexed format.

The above described voice mail system architecture is similar toexisting voice mail type central messaging systems, such as disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,029,199 to Jones et al., although other messaging systemarchitectures such as disclosed in the other patents cited above couldbe used.

For purposes of the present embodiment, the voice mail system 120, orother centralized messaging system, will further comprise a ring countchange interface 151. The interface 151 connects to the Ethernet network129 and provides two-way data communication between the network 129 inthe voice mail system 120 and a multi-services platform (MSP) 153. Forexample, the unit 151 might provide a 9600 baud data channel over a lineto the platform 153.

The interface 153 will receive packets of data over the Ethernet network129 indicating changes in the status of the various subscribers'mailboxes. These packets of data will identify a particular subscriberand indicate the number a number of rings for future use in processingcalls for that subscriber. The interface 153 forwards the ring countchange data packets to the platform 153. The interface also receivesdata signals from the MSP 153, for example acknowledgements oftransmitted data and/or signals indicating actual changes of statusinformation by the switching system 110. In enhanced embodiments, theinterface might include some data processing capabilities, as well.Also, the interface can provide instructions to change some otherparameter of the call forwarding procedure, such as the subscriber'sforwarding number.

The multi-services platform 153 connects to the end office switchingsystem 110 via a recent change-memory administration channel (RC-MAC)155. RC-MAC 155 is a data link to the processor of the switching system110 for inputting data into the translation tables used by the switchingsystem 110 to control switched communications operations with regard toeach subscriber's line. The multi-services platform is a processor forreceiving various service change instructions, including those from theinterface 151 and from other sources, processing the instructions asnecessary to make them compatible with switch programming, andforwarding instructions to the switching system 110 to change specificrelevant translation table data stored in the switching system. Inresponse to the change of status data from the ring count interface 151,the multi-services platform 153 provides appropriate data packet signalson the RC-MAC channel 155 to the end office switching system 110 tochange a particular subscriber's ring count for forwarding on no answer.The instructions from the MSP 153 will identify a specific subscriber'sline and will specify a ring count or ringing interval for use indetermining when a call for that subscriber has gone unanswered andshould be forwarded to the voice mail system 120. The multi-servicesplatform may also forward instructions to change other parameters of thecall forwarding function.

Operation via an RC-MAC channel to change data in a switching systemrelating to call forwarding is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,511 toHanle et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference. The multi-services platform 153 is the same as orsubstantially similar to a processor used in the patented system toprocess various translation memory change requests, both from RC-MACterminals and a voice response unit.

Overview of Operation of Voice Mail Network

In various operations discussed in more detail below, calls can beforwarded to the voice mail system 120 in response to calls tosubscriber's lines. The switching system 110 may also route some callsdirectly to the voice mail system 120 in response to callers dialing atelephone number assigned to the lines 143 going to the voice mailsystem 120. When the end office switching system 110 directs a call tothe voice mail system 120, whether as a forwarded call or as a directcall in response to dialing of a number for accessing the system 120,the switching system places the call on any available channel on themulti-line hunt group lines 143.

When the end office switching system 110 forwards a call to the voicemail system 120, the switching system 110 will also provide various datarelating to the call via one of the SMDI links 141 and the MIU 127. Inparticular, the switching system 110 transmits data to the MCU 123 ofthe voice mail system 120 indicating which line of the multi-line huntgroup 143, i.e. which T1 trunk and which channel on the trunk, that thenew call will come in on. The exchange 110 also transmits data via SMDIlink 141 identifying the called telephone number and the telephonenumber of the caller. For a call forwarded to a mailbox, the data fromthe exchange indicates the reason for the forwarding, and the callertelephone number (typically the directory number assigned to the calledsubscriber's normal telephone line) identifies which subscriber theforwarded call relates to. The master control unit 123 uses themulti-line hunt group line information and the subscriber's directorynumber to internally route the forwarded call though DSS switch 121 andone of the internal T1 links 128 to an available voice processing unit125 and identifies the relevant subscriber to that voice processing unitvia the Ethernet 125.

For each party who subscribes to a voice mail service provided by thecentralized messaging system 120, the MCU 123 stores informationdesignating one of the voice processing units 125 as the “home” unit forthat subscriber. Each voice processing unit 125 stores generic elementsof prompt messages in a common area of its memory. Personalized elementsof prompt messages, for example recorded representations of eachsubscriber's name spoken in the subscriber's own voice, are stored indesignated memory locations within the subscriber's “home” voiceprocessing unit.

In voice mail systems of the type discussed above, a subscriber's“mailbox” does not actually correspond to a particular area of memory.Instead, the messages are stored in each “mailbox” by storingappropriate identification or tag data to identify the subscriber orsubscriber's mailbox which each message corresponds to.

Each time a call comes in to the voice mail system 120, the mastercontrol unit 123 controls the digital switching system 121 to provide amultiplexed voice channel connection through to one of the voiceprocessing units 125. Typically, the call connection goes to the “home”voice processing unit for the relevant subscriber. The voice mailsubscriber is identified by data transmitted from the switching system110, as described above, if the call is a forwarded call. If all 24 T1channels to the “home” voice processing unit are engaged, the centralprocessing unit 123 controls switch 121 to route the call to anothervoice processing unit 125 which is currently available.

The voice processing unit connected to the call retrieves promptmessages and/or previously stored messages from its memory and transmitsthem back to the calling party via the internal T1 line 128, the DSSswitch 121 one of the MLHG lines 143, end office switching system 110and the calling party's telephone line, such as line 135 or line 137.The voice processing unit 125 connected to the call receives incomingmessages from the caller through a similar route and stores thosemessages in digital form in its associated mass storage device.

When the incoming call is a forwarded call, the connected voiceprocessing unit 125 provides an answering prompt message to the caller,typically including a personalized message recorded by the calledsubscriber. After the prompt, the voice processing unit 125 records amessage from the caller and identifies that stored message as one forthe called subscriber's mailbox.

At times the connected voice processing unit 125 will not have allnecessary outgoing messages stored within its own associated memory. Forexample, a forwarded call normally will be connected to the calledsubscriber's “home” voice processing unit 125, but if the home unit isnot available the forwarded call will be connected to a voice processingunit 125 other than the subscriber's home voice processing unit. In sucha case, the connected unit 125 requests and receives from the home unit125 the personalized components of the answering prompt message via thedata network 129. The connected voice processing unit 125 will store thetransferred message data in its own memory, and when necessary, willplay back the transferred data from its own memory as outgoing messagesin the exact same manner as for any prompts or greeting messagesoriginally stored in its own memory.

The connected voice processing unit 125 also will store any incomingmessage in its own associated memory together with data identifying themessage as one stored for the called subscriber's mailbox. As a result,the system 120 actually may store a number of messages for any givensubscriber or mailbox in several different voice processing units 125.Subsequently, when the voice mail subscriber calls in to the voice mailsystem 120 to access the subscriber's mailbox, the call is connected toone voice processing unit 125. Again, this call typically goes to thehome unit 125 but would go to a different available one of the units 125if the home unit is not available at the time. In response toappropriate DTMF control signals received from the subscriber, theconnected voice processing unit retrieves the subscriber's messages fromits own memory and plays the messages back to the subscriber. If anymessages are stored in other voice processing units, the connected unit125 sends a request the other units 125 to download any messages for thesubscriber's mailbox those units have actually stored. The downloadedmessages are stored in the memory of the connected voice processing unit125 which replays them to the subscriber.

Voice Mail Architecture in (AIN) Network

FIG. 6 shows an architecture for providing centralized messaging typeservices, such as voice mail, using AIN for its conventional purpose. Inthe communication system shown in that drawing, elements correspondingto identical elements in FIG. 5 are identified with identical referencenumerals. For example, the voice mail system 120 in FIG. 5 is identicalto that shown in FIG. 6 and connects to the switching system via themulti-line hunt group (MLHG) 143, the SMDI links 141, the multi-servicesplatform or MSP 153 and the associated RC-MAC channel 155. The voicemail system 120 operates essentially as described above, with respect toFIG. 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the end office switching system 210 is aService Switching Point (SSP) capable switching system. SSP's areappropriately equipped programmable switches (such as a 5ESS) present inthe telephone network, which recognize AIN type calls, launch queries tothe ISCP and receive commands and data from the ISCP to further processthe AIN calls. The SSP functionality may reside in an end office such asshown at 210, or the SSP functionality may reside in a tandem officesuch as shown at 211, which in turn provides trunk connections to one ormore other end offices 215 which lack SSP capability. End officeswithout such functionality route AIN calls to one of the SSP typeoffices.

The SSP's 210 and 211 connect to each other via trunk circuits forcarrying large numbers of voice communications, such as the trunkcircuit shown as thick dark line 255 in FIG. 6. The SSP's 210 and 211also connect to an STP 239 via data links 251, 257, for signalingpurposes. An STP can connect to a large number of the SSP's. The STP 239provides data signaling communications between the SSP's 210, 211 andwith the ISCP 240. Although shown as a single STP, the AIN may include anumber of STP's organized in an appropriate hierarchy to handle theexpected level of signaling traffic. The data links 251, 257 between theSSP type switching systems 210, 211 and the STP 239 are typically SS7(Signaling System 7) type CCIS interoffice data communication channels.The STP 239 in turn connects to other STP's and to the ISCP via a packetswitched network 253 which may also be an SS7 network. The abovedescribed data signaling network between the SSP type offices and theISCP is preferred, but other signaling networks could be used.

The messages transmitted between the SSP's 210, 211 and the ISCP 240 areall formatted in accord with the Transaction Capabilities ApplicationsProtocol (TCAP). The TCAP protocol provides standardized formats forvarious query and response messages. Each query and response includesdata fields for a variety of different pieces of information relating tothe current call. For example, an initial TCAP query from an SSPincludes among other data a “Service Key” which is the calling party'saddress, and the digits dialed by the caller. TCAP also specifies astandard message response format including routing information, such asprimary carrier ID, alternate carrier ID and second alternate carrier IDand a routing number and a destination number. The TCAP specifies anumber of additional message formats, for example a format for asubsequent query from the SSP, and formats for “INVOKE” messages forinstructing the SSP to play an announcement or to play an announcementand collect digits.

There could be one or more ISCP's per state, to avoid overloadingexisting CCIS data links. Alternatively, the ISCP could be implementedon a LATA by LATA basis or on a regional operating company basis, i.e.one database for the entire geographic area serviced by one of theRegional Bell Operating Companies. In fact, if federal regulationspermit, the database service may be offered nationwide.

The ISCP 240 is an integrated system. Among other system components, theISCP 240 includes a Service Management System (SMS) 241, a Data andReporting System (DRS) 245 and the actual database referred to as aService Control Point (SCP) 243. The ISCP 240 also typically includes aterminal subsystem referred to as a Service Creation Environment or SCE242, for programming the database in the SCP 243 for the servicessubscribed to by each individual subscriber to one of the AIN services.The SMS 241 validates service logic and data entered by the TELCO or thesubscriber, and manages the process of actually updating the data filesin the SCP database 243.

Each central office switching system or SSP normally responds to aservice request on a local communication line connected thereto, forexample an off-hook followed by dialed digit information, to selectivelyconnect the requesting line to another selected local communicationline. The connection may be made locally through only the connectedcentral office switching system. For example, for a call from station131 to station 132 the end office type SSP 210 provides the callconnection without any connection to another central office. When thecalled line connects to a distant station, for example for a call fromstation 11 to station 231, the connection is made through the connectedend office switching system SSP 210 and at least one other centraloffice switching system, such as tandem SSP 211 and end office 215, bymeans of the telephone trunks interconnecting the various officeswitching systems.

In the normal call processing, the central office switching systemresponds to an off-hook and receives dialed digits from the callingstation. The central office switching system analyzes the receiveddigits to determine if the call is local or not. If the called stationis local and the call can be completed through the one central office,the central office switching system connects the calling station to thecalled station. If, however, the called station is not local, the callmust be completed through one or more distant central offices, andfurther processing is necessary. If at this point the call wereconnected serially through the trunks and appropriate central officesbetween the caller and the called party using in channel signaling, thetrunks would be engaged before a determination is made that the calledline is available or busy. Particularly if the called line is busy, thiswould unnecessarily tie up limited trunk capacity. The CCIS systemthrough the STP's originally was developed to alleviate this problem.

In the CCIS type call processing method, the local central officesuspends the call and sends a query message through one or more ofSTP's. The query message goes to the central office to which the calledstation is connected, referred to as the “terminating” central office.The terminating central office determines whether or not the calledstation is busy. If the called station is busy, the terminating centraloffice so informs the originating central office which in turn providesa busy signal to the calling station. If the called station is not busy,the terminating central office so informs the originating centraloffice. A telephone connection is then constructed via the trunks andcentral offices of the network between the calling and called stations.The receiving central office then provides a ringing signal to thecalled station and sends ringback tone back through the connection tothe calling station.

The call processing routines discussed above are similar to those usedin existing networks to complete calls between stations. In an AIN typenetwork system, these normal call processing routines would still beexecuted for completion of calls between customer stations, when callprocessing does not involve one of the AIN services.

In an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) type system, such as shown inFIG. 6, certain calls receive specialized AIN type processing undercontrol of data files stored in the SCP database 243 within the ISCP240. In such a network, the SSP type offices 210, 211 of the publictelephone network detect a call processing event identified as an AIN“trigger” For ordinary telephone service calls, there would be no eventto trigger AIN processing; and the local and toll office switches wouldfunction normally and process such calls as discussed above, withoutreferring to the SCP database 243 for instructions. An SSP typeswitching office which detects a trigger, however, will suspend callprocessing, compile a TCAP formatted call data message or “query” andforward that message via a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS)link 251 or 257, the STP 239, and link 253 to the ISCP 240 whichincludes the SCP database 243.

The TCAP query message contains a substantial amount of information,including for example data identifying the off-hook line, the numberdialed and the current time. Depending on the particular AIN service,the ISCP uses a piece of data from the query message to identify asubscriber and access the subscriber's files. For example, for some formof terminating type AIN service the dialed number would correspond tothe called AIN subscriber, therefore the ISCP 240 uses the dialed numberto access the subscriber's data file within the SCP database 243. Fromthe accessed data, the ISCP 240 determines what action to take next. Ifneeded, the ISCP 240 can instruct the central office to obtain andforward additional information, e.g., by playing an announcement andcollecting dialed digits.

Once sufficient information about the call has reached the ISCP 240, theISCP accesses its stored data tables to translate the received messagedata into a call control message. The call control message may include asubstantial variety of information including, for example a destinationnumber and trunk group selection information. The ISCP 240 returns thecall control message to the particular SSP 210 or 211 which initiatedthe query via CCIS links and the STP 239. The SSP then uses the callcontrol message to complete the particular call through the network.

The SSP type switches can recognize a variety of events as triggers foractivating a query and response type AIN interaction with the ISCP, anddifferent AIN services use different types of triggers. The presentinvention involves a call forwarding or call redirect type AIN serviceand uses a dialed destination number as the triggering event. This typeof trigger is sometimes referred to as a terminating trigger. Othertypes of AIN type services using the dialed number of the terminatingstation or subscriber as the trigger are disclosed in commonly assignedU.S. Pat. No. 5,353,331 entitled Personal Communication Services UsingWireless/Wireline Integration, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.07/888,098 filed May 26, 1992, entitled Method for ConcurrentlyEstablishing Switch Redirection for Multiple Lines, the disclosures ofthese two commonly assigned applications being incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

In the AIN embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the voice mail system 120operates exactly as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The SSPtype switching system 210 provides a forward on ‘no answer’ condition ofthe type used in the embodiment of FIG. 5. The difference is that theswitching system 210 will use the forwarding operation only for the highcount forwarding when no new message is stored. In such cases, theswitching system 210 will use only one relatively high ring countthreshold for all calls to any given voice mail subscriber's line. Thisthreshold value may be a high default value. The SSP type switchingsystem 210 will execute this forwarding routine with a high thresholdfor calls to a subscriber after a signal from the voice mail systemindicating that all new messages for that subscriber have been replayed.

In switch based call forwarding of the type discussed above, if a calledsubscriber's line is available, the switching system terminates callsfor a subscriber on the subscriber's line. The switching system forwardsthe call to the forwarding number, e.g., a number associated with themulti-line hunt group 143 into the voice mail system, only if no oneanswers the call for a certain ringing interval or a certain ring count.In an AIN, such as shown in FIG. 6, the network can reroute a callwithout first terminating the call on the called line. The AIN actuallyredirects the call to the destination during initial call processing,without waiting for a no-answer condition. The illustrated AINembodiments of the present invention rely on such AIN type callredirection to route calls for subscriber's who have messages waitingdirectly to the voice mail system 120.

To initiate AIN type call redirection, the switching system sets adestination number trigger in its internal translation informationassociated with a particular subscriber's line. The trigger is set inresponse to a signal from the voice mail system 120 indicating that thesystem 120 has stored new messages for that subscriber.

While the trigger associated with a subscriber's line is active, whenthe SSP switching system 210 receives a call to that subscriber, the SSPwill suspend call processing and query the ISCP 220 for a destinationnumber to actually route the call to. The ISCP 240 will return a numberassociated with the multi-line hunt group 143, and the SSP typeswitching system 210 will connect the call to one of the lines of thatgroup 143. To the caller, the first ringback heard will correspond tothe first ring at the voice mail system. This results in a forwarding tothe voice mail system without a prior ring.

In the system of FIG. 6, the voice mail system 120 will still send someform of signal to the switching system 210 through the interface 151,the MSP 153 and the RC-MAC channel 155 equivalent to the ring countchange to high instruction. In response, the switching system 210 willcancel the terminating trigger designation associated with theparticular subscriber's line. The next call to the subscriber willtherefore be forwarded by the switch after a high number of ringswithout an answer on the subscriber's line.

The construction and operation of the voice mail systems shown in FIGS.5 and 6 are described more fully in commonly assigned patent applicationSer. No. 08/121,855 allowed Jun. 13, 1995 (Attorney Ref. No. 680-068),entitled Toll Saver for Centralized Messaging Systems, the disclosure ofwhich commonly assigned application is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a simplified diagram of a publicswitched network such as illustrated and described with more detail inconnection with FIG. 1. The network in FIG. 4 includes a voice mailsystem associated with each of the switching systems. FIG. 4 shows twoSSP's 310 and 312 which comprise end office switching systems 314 and316. The end office 314 represents an end office in the region of oneregional operating company, while end office 316 represents an endoffice in the region of a different operating company. The SSP's in agiven region are connected together by local trunks (not shown) and theSSP's 310 and 312 are connected via access tandems (not shown) andinter-exchange carrier network trunks or ICN trunk 318 in FIG. 4.

The SS7 network, indicated generally at 320, includes a series of STP's322, 324, 326 and 328 designated STP 1, STP 2, STP 3 and STP 4. Each STPis connected to the other STP's by A links indicated at 330, 332, 334and 336. STP 1 and STP 2 constitute a mated pair of STP's connected by Clinks 338, each mated pair serving its respective transport area. STP 1is connected to STP 3 by B link 342 and to STP 4 by D link 344. STP 2 isconnected to STP 4 by B link 346 and by D link 348.

The STP's are connected to ISCP's 350 and 352 by A links 354, 356, 358and 360.

Each switching system 314 and 316 in this illustration comprises an endoffice and is connected to customer premises equipment, illustrated astelephone stations 362, 364, 366, 368, 370 and 372. Local telephonelines or local loops serve as communication links between each of thetelephone stations and its end office switching system. It will beunderstood that the subscriber station equipment may also comprise othercommunication devices compatible with the line, such as facsimiledevices, modems, etc.

Each switching system 314 and 316 is also provided with a centralizedmessage service or voice mail system shown in FIG. 4 as 374 and 376.These systems may be of the type illustrated and described in detail inconnection with FIG. 5 and 6. Although referred to as voice messagingequipment, the systems 374 and 376 may have the capability of storingmessages of a variety of different types as well as voice messages. Forexample, a single system may receive incoming messages in the form ofaudible messages such as voice messages, as well as text format datamessages. The equipment may also store messages in an image data formatsuch as facsimile.

The voice mail systems 374 and 376 connect to the switching systems 314and 316 via SMDI data lines 378 and 380 and by multi-line hunt groups(MLHG's) 382 and 384. Typically, the MLHG lines consist of a number ofT1 type trunk circuits which each carry 24 voice channels in digitaltime division multiplexed format.

The operation of the system shown in FIG. 4 according to the inventionmay be as follows:

A subscriber associated with telephone station 362 desiring to leave avoice message in the mailbox of a remote subscriber, such as thesubscriber associated with telephone station 368, may use a telephonestation to access his own voice mailbox in the voice mail system 374.This may be accomplished by dialing a number associated with the voicemail system 374 for this purpose. The voice processing unit of the voicemail system may operate its voice menu to direct the caller to depress aspecified key when satisfied with the message in a known fashion. It maythen query the caller as to whether he desired to send the message and,if so, to depress another specified key. The voice unit then willinstruct the caller as to the procedure for keying in the identify ofthe destination and to depress a further specified key to send themessage. This foregoing procedure is not intended to be exclusive andother procedures for leaving and commanding the dispatch of a messagewhich are described in the background patents discussed above may beutilized. In all cases the message is digitized in conventional fashionand stored in the mailbox of the sender. The caller may go on-hook afterdepressing the designated send key. The depression of the send keycauses the generation of a tone or signal which is recognized by the SSP310 as a trigger.

In response to the trigger, the SSP frames a TCAP inquiry message whichis directed via one or more of the STPs 322 and 324 to the ISCP 350 forinstructions. The TCAP message includes information identifying thecalling station and mailbox and the called station and the fact that thecaller is requesting mailbox-to-mailbox message transfer. The ISCPconsults its database to establish the existence and identity of amailbox for the called number. If the identity of such a mailbox isfound, the ISCP then originates a response to the SSP to packetize anddispatch one or more SS7 packets to the called directory number andmailbox (if available) with an appropriate routing label and handlinginstructions and carrying as the included information in the SS7 packetsthe digitized voice retrieved from the mailbox of the sender. Anillustrative packet is shown in FIG. 7 with the digital messageinformation incorporated at 386. The information may be in T1 protocolwhich is conventionally the output digital signal of mailbox equipmentused in the public switched telephone networks regardless ofmanufacture. Thus any translation which is necessary between thedigitized message in the mailbox and the T1 or equivalent protocol usedin the SS7 packets inherently occurs in the equipment furnished by thevoice mail system manufacturer.

The number of SS7 packets which may be required will be dependent uponthe length of the message as in conventional packet communication. Eachpacket includes suitable header information in the conventional manner.In this case if the identity of the destination mailbox was establishedfrom the database of the ISCP 350, that identity will be included in theoutgoing packets. However, if the existence and/or identity of a mailboxassociated with the destination directory number is not subject todetermination in the database of the ISCP 350, the SSP 310 is instructedby the ISCP 350 to include in the packet header appropriate directionsto the remote SSP 312 to cause triggering and the formation and dispatchof a TCAP inquiry message to the associated ISCP 352. In such a case theISCP 352 conducts a dip of its database and provides the requestedinformation to the SSP 312. The packet is thereupon processed throughthe SSP 312 and voice mail system 376 to digitally record the contentsof the remotely originated information. Again the voice mail system isso designed as to inherently handle any translation necessary tocommunicate with the switching system in T1 or equivalent protocol. Thefact that the packets may not arrive at the destination in the sameorder as originated is of no consequence in that real-time voicecommunication is not involved in the transfer.

The dispatched SS7 packet communication proceeds through the commonchannel signaling SS7 network until all of the packets are received atthe destination. It is a feature of the invention that the redundancy ofthe SS7 network and packet switching techniques permits packetstraveling different routes to the same destination. This redundancy isutilized as a feature of the invention to enable to existing SS7 networkto handle the digital packet communication involved without requiringmodification of the SS7 system.

When the packets reach the destination SSP 312 and have been depositedin the mailbox of the addressee, the voice mail system 376 effectscustomary notification of the mailbox proprietor that a message iswaiting. The proprietor may then access the mailbox in conventionalfashion and have the message delivered as an audio voice message in theusual fashion. The recipient then has the option of returning a messagein a converse fashion by depressing the appropriate keys at histelephone station which utilize the information in the packet header toreverse the origination and destination identifications. If themailbox-to-mailbox communication feature is furnished by the involvedtelephone companies as an extra feature, it will be appreciated thateither or both ISCP's 350 and 352 may ascertain from their appropriatedatabases the authorization of the user to access the service.

Because currently available ISCP's include billing modules they may alsoeffect billing. The data may be sent out through the ISCP so that it caneither be directed to the revenue accounting office on a direct line orit may send a TCAP message back into the SSP or end office switch to theoriginating number responsible for the origination of the call. Billingcan be accomplished in any desired fashion, such as an bits per second,call set-up, number of packets, or any combination of the same. Thebilling information may go into the journal on the switch to beforwarded to the revenue accounting office.

According to another embodiment, the invention provides a system andmethod for transferring voice mail or messages to called parties who arenot voice mail subscribers and thus do not possess individual orpersonal mailboxes. Pursuant to this embodiment of the invention, VoiceMail Systems 374 and 376 in the simplified network illustrated in FIG. 4are provided with multiple unsubscribed mailboxes, which are heredescribed as public mailboxes or mailboxes for temporary hire. It willbe understood that such mailboxes may constitute mere addresses oraddressable storage or memory in the voice mail system storage. Suchmailboxes may be utilized according to a first embodiment of theinvention in the following fashion.

A caller at telephone station 362 connected to central office 314 makesa call to a remote called party at station 370 at central office 316. Inthis case the common channel signaling system 320 determines that thecall cannot be completed because of a busy or a no answer situation. Theattempt to establish a voice connection between the two telephonestations is terminated and the caller is directed, as by voice prompt,to the voice mail system 374 associated with the originating centraloffice 314. The voice processing unit associated with the voice mailsystem 374 informs the caller that the line is busy or that there is noanswer and inquires as to whether or not the caller would like to leavea message. It also indicates that if the caller chooses to leave amessage the charge will be, for example, twenty-five cents, which willbe charged to his telephone bill. The Voice Processing Unit requests ayes or no response, either by voice or DTMF key or the equivalent. Wherethe response is affirmative, the caller is invited to leave the messagein the conventional voice mail fashion and the message is stored in apublic mailbox in the voice mail system 374. Appropriate messaging thenoccurs via the SMDI link 378 to effect billing to the caller. Subsequentto termination of the deposit of the message as digitally stored data,the message is transferred in digital form from the public mailbox invoice mail system 374 to a temporarily mating or corresponding publicmailbox in voice mail system 376. Such transfer is via the commonchannel signaling link pursuant to the invention as previouslydescribed. Following deposit or storage of the message in thedestination voice mail system 376, that voice mail system initiatesattempts to reach the called party or addressee at telephone station 370to announce to that party that a message has been deposited forretrieval. The same announcement may include the instruction that themessage may be retrieved by depression of a stated DTMF key. Theactuation of the key may create a record constituting a receipt for theoriginating party. The digitally stored voice message is then deliveredfrom the voice mail system 376 to the caller at station 370 as an audiovoice message in the usual fashion. The notification of the receipt maybe transferred to the billing record of the originating caller via thecommon channel signaling system and receipt noted with the billing forthe delivery of the message.

As a still further feature of the invention, the original invitation toleave a message to the caller can include a further inquiry as towhether or not the caller requests a reply. The announcement mayindicate that the delivery of the request and delivery of any replywould entail an additional charge of, for example, twenty-five cents. Inthe event that the caller requests a reply, the information which istransferred via the common channel signaling system pursuant to theinvention includes an appropriate bit to indicate that a reply isrequested. When the destination voice mail system delivers the messageit responds to that bit by voicing a message that informs the recipientthat a reply is requested. Instructions as to delivering a reply areprovided to the called party or addressee by the destination voice mailsystem. The called party may then record the reply as digitized data inthe local voice mail system 376.

Subsequent to termination of the connection between the destinationvoice mail system and the called party, the reply is transferred via thecommon channel signaling system back to the originating voice mailsystem 374 as previously described. The digitally stored reply is thendelivered to the original calling party by a call from the voice mailsystem to the originating telephone station 364. The reply is alsodelivered as an audio voice message.

In the embodiment of the invention just described, the situationinvolved a busy or no answer condition. It is still another feature ofthe invention to offer the service of audio voice message deliverywithout an attempt to establish two-way telephone connection with thecalled party. Such a service may be set up using a real or virtualdirectory number to trigger the service. Dialing such number establishesa connection to a voice mail system local to the calling party havingpublic or for hire mailboxes as previously described. This may be apublic mailbox in the local voice mail system 374 in FIG. 4. The calleris invited to speak the message and the voice processing unit of thevoice mail system may then operate its voice menu to direct the callerto depress a specified key when satisfied with the message in a knownfashion. It may then query the caller as to the destination directorynumber. This may be followed by an inquiry to establish whether thecaller requests a reply. Billing information is provided to the callerand suitable billing signaling is effected, as by use of the SMDI link378 to the local voice mail system 374.

Following storage of the digitized voice message and digitized signalingregarding delivery and response, the digitized message is transferredvia the common channel signaling system to a destination public mailboxin a voice messaging system designated by the ISCP on the basis of thedirectory number of the called party. This mailbox may be in the remotevoice mail system 376 where the digitized message and instructions arestored. Delivery of the message is then effected in the same manner aspreviously described. Any reply is first stored in the public mailbox invoice mail system 376 and subsequently transferred through the commonchannel signaling system to the originating voice mailbox. The reply isthen delivered to the original calling party by a telephone call to theoriginating telephone station.

As a still further additional feature of this embodiment of theinvention, the methodology may be utilized to provide a 900 directorynumber type service. For example, an arrangement may be made for a wellknown celebrity to provide specified short duration responses toquestions from fans. According to this embodiment of the invention, oneor more pre-designated mailboxes is provided at each voice mail systemoffering the service. In-calling fans, such as using the telephonestations 362-366 in FIG. 4, are connected to the local voice mail system374 via the multi-line hunt group (MLHG) 382. Such callers record theirqueries in pre-designated mailboxes or in one mailbox using multipleaddresses. The callers are billed in a conventional fashion usingappropriate SMDI signaling and billing procedures.

The digitized stored questions are transferred in due course asdigitized messages over the common channeling signaling system aspreviously described. The messages are received and stored in the remotevoice mail system 376, preserving the address of the query originator.The destination voice mail system 376 may be located anywhere in thesystem but is preferably local to the responding celebrity. Acontractual arrangement is made with the celebrity whereby the celebrityperiodically establishes a connection with the remote voice mail systemand seriatim retrieves and responds to the questions.

Appropriate records for payment to the celebrity are created at theremote voice mail system and central office and associated platforms toeffect the creation of an invoice and payment based upon the number ofinquiries to which a response is made. Each response is digitally storedin the voice mail system local to the celebrity and subsequentlydelivered via the common channel signaling network to the enquiringcallers or fans. Such delivery may be carried out in any convenientmanner. Thus a call may be made from the local voice mail system 374 tothe telephone station which initiated the question and the response maybe delivered. Alternatively, the callers may merely be notified thattheir responses are ready for retrieval.

Referring to FIG. 8 there is shown another embodiment of the inventionwherein communication between voice mail systems in two remote telephonenetworks is implemented through use of the Internet. The internetworkcommonly known as the Internet had its genesis in U.S. Government(called ARPA) funded research which made possible nationalinternetworked communication systems. This work resulted in thedevelopment of network standards as well as a set of conventions forinterconnecting networks and routing information. These protocols arecommonly referred to as TCP/IP. The protocols generally referred to asTCP/IP were originally developed for use only through Arpanet and havesubsequently become widely used in the industry. TCP/IP is flexible androbust; in effect, TCP takes care of the integrity and IP moves thedata. Internet provides two broad types of services: connectionlesspacket delivery service and reliable stream transport service. TheInternet basically comprises several large computer networks joinedtogether over high-speed data links ranging from ISDN to T1, T3, FDDI,SONET, SMDS, OT1, etc. The most prominent of these national nets areMILNET (Military Network), NSFNET (National Science Foundation NETwork),and CREN (Corporation for Research and Educational Networking). In 1995,the Government Accounting Office (GAO) reported that the Internet linked59,000 networks, 2.2 million computers and 15 million users in 92countries.

According to the instant embodiment of the invention the remote VoiceMail Systems (VMS) are handled as remote LANs. Each of these LANs isconnected to the Internet over an interface or gateway connection with astandard LAN environment (IEEE 802.3, 802.4, 802.5) over a LLC (logicallink control) utilizing CSMA/CD, token ring, token bus, or the like. TheLLC procedure is that part of the protocol that governs the assemblingof DLL frames and their exchange between data stations independent ofhow the transmission medium is shared. The protocol providestransparency to the network layer with respect to the underlying LANmedia. The interface includes a conventional IP router or a bridge-likeIP router to implement the IP and TCP protocols. By way of example abridge-like router may comprise a router and function of the typedescribed in Perlman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 9,309,437, entitled“Bridge-Like Internet Protocol Router,” issued May 3, 1994, or similarequipment. The Internet itself is linked largely by telephone lineswhich are mostly T-1 lines.

According to this embodiment of the invention each linked telephonecompany has its own Internet access and IP address. The customers of thetelephone companies or users of the service need have no individualInternet access or address.

FIG. 8 shows the architecture of two public switched telephone networks(PSTNs) of the type previously described with respect to FIG. 4employing voice mail systems such as described with respect to FIGS. 5and 6. The PSTNs are shown as clouds 400 and 402 having voice mailsystems 404 and 406 of the type described. The voice mail systems areconnected to the Internet 414 via interfaces, routers or gateways 408and 410 of the type described. FIG. 9 shows such a voice mail systemsuch as that shown in FIG. 5 connected to the interface 408 and Internet414. The connection in the voice mail system 120 is made to the Ethernet129 via link 428. As previously described, the Ethernet carries storedmessages in data form in addition to other types of data signaling.Messages destined for the interface 408 are directed to the routertherein by the voice mail system master control unit (MCU) 123. ThePSTNs serve subscribers or customers via illustrative telephoneterminals 416-426, which may if desired be POTS terminals.

The operation of the service and system is as follows:

In a first example a subscriber to voice mail service in one telephonenetwork desires to send a voice message to a subscriber in anothernetwork who is known to have a voice mail box in that network. This maybe viewed as a subscriber to the voice mail service 404 in the telephonenetwork 400 in FIG. 8 desiring to send a voice message to a subscriberto the voice mail service 406 in the telephone network 402. Such voicemail services are shown at 374 and 376 in FIG. 4. The voice mailservices may be of the type shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A subscriber associated with telephone station or terminal 416 in FIG. 8(362 in FIG. 4) desiring to leave a voice message in the mailbox of aremote subscriber, such as the subscriber associated with telephonestation or terminal 426 in FIG. 8 (368 in FIG. 4), may use a telephoneterminal to access his own voice mailbox in the voice mail system 404 inFIG. 8 (374 in FIG. 4). This may be accomplished by dialing a directorynumber associated with the voice mail system 404 or 374 for thispurpose. The voice processing unit 125 of the voice mail system 120 inFIG. 5 may operate its voice menu to direct the caller to depress aspecified key when satisfied with the message, in a known fashion. Thevoice processing unit may then query the caller as to whether he desiresto send the message and, if so, to depress another specified key. Thevoice unit then will instruct the caller as to the procedure for keyingin the directory number of the destination and to depress a furtherspecified key to send the message. This foregoing procedure is notintended to be exclusive and other procedures for leaving and commandingthe dispatch of a message which are described in the background patentsdiscussed above may be utilized.

The message spoken by the user into the telephone creates an analogsignal which is digitized in conventional fashion and stored in themailbox of the party sending the message, i.e., in the voice mail system404 or 374 in FIGS. 8 and 4, respectively. The caller may then goon-hook after depressing the designated send key. The depression of thesend key causes the voice mail system 404 to send a signal to theInternet interface 408 and initiate the transfer of the message to theinterface. The message sent to the interface contains the directorynumbers of the intended recipient and the sending party along withrouting and handling information. This may be affixed to the message inthe storage process in accord with the type of service being requested,i.e., mailbox to mailbox transfer in this case.

The Internet address of the connection of the remote telephone networkor company 402 is retrieved from a database associated with thetelephone network or company 400. The database may reside in an SCP orISCP for the network 400, in the voice mail system 404, or in anintelligent peripheral in the network. This internet address informationis forwarded to the interface 408 with the message to be delivered. Theinterface 408 acts in router fashion to encapsulate the message andaddress information in TCP/IP format and dispatch the same to thedestination Internet address with an appropriate routing label andhandling instructions. These handling instructions direct the addresseetelephone network 402 to retrieve from its appropriate database theidentity of the addressee and to verify its subscription to a mailbox.The transmitted message is then stored in the subscriber mailboxprovided for the addressee directory number with an appropriate address.As with the previously described embodiments of the invention theaddressee mail system is so designed as to inherently handle anytranslation in protocol which may be necessary.

When the message packets reach the destination telephone system and havebeen deposited in the mailbox of the addressee, the voice mail system406 effects customary notification of the mailbox proprietor that amessage is waiting. The proprietor may then access the mailbox inconventional fashion and have the message delivered as an audio oraudible voice message in the usual fashion. If the addressee so desiresand programs his voice mail service the message may be delivered byautodialed call to the addressee. Alternatively the telephone companymay offer such delivery as part of the basic service.

The party receiving the message may then have the option of returning amessage in a converse fashion by depressing the appropriate keys at histelephone terminal. This utilizes the information in the packet headerto reverse the origination and destination identifications and sends thereply back in the same fashion in which it was delivered.

According to another embodiment of the invention a system and method isprovided for transferring voice mail or messages to called parties whoare not voice mail subscribers and thus do not possess individual orpersonal mailboxes or Internet addresses. Pursuant to this embodiment ofthe invention, voice mail systems 404 and 406 in FIG. 8 (374 and 376 inthe network illustrated in FIG. 4) are provided with multipleunsubscribed mailboxes, which are here described as public mailboxes ormailboxes for temporary hire. It will be understood that such mailboxesmay constitute mere addresses which may be appended to messages storedin the voice mail system storage. Such mailboxes may be utilizedaccording to one embodiment of the invention in the following fashion.

The involved telephone networks have established therein in knownfashion a real or virtual directory number to trigger this embodiment ofservice. Dialing such a number at a terminal connected to the sendingnetwork establishes a connection to a voice mail system which is localto the calling party and which has public or for hire mailboxes asdescribed. This may be a public mailbox in the local voice mail system400 in FIG. 8 (374 in FIG. 4). The caller is queried as to thedestination directory number. This may be followed by an inquiry toestablish whether the caller requests a reply. The caller is thenrequested to speak the message and to correct the same if necessary. Thevoice processing unit of the voice mail system may then operate itsvoice menu to direct the caller to depress a specified key whensatisfied with the message in a known fashion. Billing information isprovided to the caller and suitable billing signaling is effected, as byuse of the SMDI link 378 to the local voice mail system 374 in FIG. 4.

Following storage of the digitized voice message and digitizedinstructions regarding delivery and response, the digitized message istransferred via the Internet 414 to the destination telephone networkwhich is indicated by the destination directory number. The messagearrives at the destination telephone network by virtue of its Internetaddress. This address is determined by a database search at the sourcetelephone network as previously described. When the message arrives atthe destination telephone network with header instructions for mailboxstorage in the central messaging system of that network, the network andmessaging system conduct a database search to confirm that thedestination number does not have a subscribed mailbox. The message isthen tagged and stored in an addressable public mailbox. This mailboxmay be in the remote voice mail system 406 in FIG. 8 (376 in FIG. 4),where the digitized message and any accompanying instructions arestored. Delivery of the message is then effected in the same manner aspreviously described. Any reply from the recipient is first stored in apublic mailbox in voice mail system 406 or 376 and subsequentlytransferred through the Internet to the originating voice mailbox. Thereply is then delivered to the original calling party by a telephonecall to the originating telephone station or by retrieval, as desired.

It will be seen that this embodiment of the invention vastly enlargesthe economically feasible scope of mailbox-to-mailbox service byproviding virtually worldwide coverage limited only by the availabilityof mailbox facilities at the source and destination. It is not necessarythat both or even one of the communicating users be subscribers tomailboxes on a continuing basis. The invention permits such customers toaccess communication services of the Internet with no knowledge thereofnor possession of or access to computer terminals and related equipment.Both the deposit of the message and the delivery thereof may becompletely analog using only the simplest of telephone terminals.

Architecture of Systems Using Multimode Intelligent Peripherals (IPs)

Referring to FIGS. 10 through 13 there is shown another embodiment ofthe invention for providing improved diverse telephone network servicein combination with the Internet.

FIG. 10 illustrates an integrated Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) ina telephone network providing voice and data communicationsconnectivity. In a typical situation, a local telephone operatingcompany (TELCO) would deploy, operate and maintain such an integratednetwork, which may be considered representative of a type of networkwhich may be used in the clouds 400 and 402 of FIG. 8.

In the network shown in FIG. 10, each central office switching system(CO) 511, 513, 515, 517 is labeled as an SSP. These Service SwitchingPoints are appropriately equipped programmable switches in the telephonenetwork, which recognize AIN type calls, launch queries to the ISCP andreceive commands and data from the ISCP to further process the AINcalls. In the illustrated embodiment, the CO-SSPs are end offices.

As shown in FIG. 10, all of the end office switches 511, 513, 515 and517 are equipped and programmed to serve as SSPs. The illustratedembodiment is perhaps an ideal implementation which would make a varietyof Advance Intelligent Network AIN services widely available at thelocal office level throughout the network. Other AIN implementationsprovide the SSP functionality only at selected points in the network,and end offices without such functionality forward calls to an SSPswitching office having tandem switching capabilities.

SSP capable central office switching systems typically consist of aprogrammable digital switch with CCIS communications capabilities. Thestructure of an exemplary CO which may serve as the SSP type COs in thesystem of FIG. 10 will be discussed in more detail below, with regard toFIG. 11.

With reference to FIG. 10, the SSP type COs 511 and 513 connect to afirst local area STP 523, and the SSP-COs 515 and 517 connect to asecond local area STP 525. The connections to the STPs are for signalingpurposes. As indicated by the circles below STPs 523 and 525, each localarea STP can connect to a large number of the SSP-COs. The centraloffice SSPs are interconnected to each other by trunk circuits(illustrated in FIG. 10 as bold lines) for carrying telephone services.

The local area STPs 523 and 525, and any number of other such local areaSTPs (not shown) communicate with a state or regional STP 531. The stateor regional STP 531 in turn provides communications with the ISCP 540.The STP hierarchy can be expanded or contracted to as many levels asneeded to serve any size area covered by the Advanced IntelligentNetwork (AIN) and to service any number of stations and central officeswitches. Also, certain switching offices within the network, whetherSSPs or not, may function primarily as tandem type offices providingconnections between trunk circuits only.

The links between the central office switching systems (COs) and thelocal area STPs 523 and 525 are typically SS7 type CCIS interoffice datacommunication channels. The local area STPs are in turn connected toeach other and to the regional STP 531 via a packet switched network.The regional STP 531 also communicates with the ISCP 540 via a packetswitched network.

The messages transmitted between the SSPs and the ISCP are all formattedin accord with the Transaction Capabilities Applications Protocol(TCAP). The TCAP protocol provides standardized formats for variousquery and response messages as previously described. Each query andresponse includes data fields for a variety of different pieces ofinformation relating to the current call. For example, an initial TCAPquery from the SSP includes, among other data, a “Service Key” which isthe calling party's address. TCAP also specifies a standard messageresponse format including routing information, such as primary carrierID, alternate carrier ID and second alternate carrier ID and a routingnumber and a destination number. The TCAP specifies a number ofadditional message formats, for example a format for a subsequent queryfrom the SSP, and formats for “INVOKE” messages for instructing the SSPto play an announcement or to play an announcement and collect digitsand a “SEND TO RESOURCES” message to instruct the SSP to route toanother network node.

As shown, the ISCP 540 includes a Service Management System (SMS) 541, aData and Reporting System (DRS) 545 and the actual database referred toas the Service Control Point (SCP) 543. The ISCP also typically includesa terminal subsystem referred to as a Service Creation Environment orSCE 542 for programming the database in the SCP 543 for the servicessubscribed to by each individual customer. These components of the ISCP540 communicate with each other via a token ring network 544.

The SCP database 543 stores data tables used to control telephoneservices provided through the network to callers using telephonestations. The SCP 543 also stores at least some data for controllingdata services through the integrated network.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic programcontrolled switch which may be used as any one of the SSP type COs inthe system of FIG. 10. As illustrated, the CO switch includes a numberof different types of modules. In particular, the illustrated switchincludes interface modules 551 (only two of which are shown), acommunications module 553 and an administrative module 555.

The interface modules 551 each include a number of interface units 0 ton. The interface units terminate lines from subscribers' stations,trunks, T1 carrier facilities, etc. Where the interfaced circuit isanalog, for example a subscriber loop, the interface unit will provideanalog to digital conversion and digital to analog conversion.Alternatively, the lines or trunks may use digital protocols such as T1or ISDN. Each interface module 551 also includes a digital service unit(not shown) which is used to generate call progress tones.

Each interface module 551 includes, in addition to the noted interfaceunits, a duplex microprocessor based module controller and a duplex timeslot interchange, referred to as a TSI in the drawing. Digital wordsrepresentative of voice information are transferred in two directionsbetween interface units via the time slot interchange (intramodule callconnections) or transmitted in two directions through the networkcontrol and timing links to the time multiplexed switch 557 and thenceto another interface module (intermodule call connection).

The communication module 553 includes the time multiplexed switch 557and a message switch 559. The time multiplexed switch 557 provides timedivision transfer of digital voice data packets between voice channelsof the interface modules 551 and transfers data messages between theinterface modules. The message switch 559 interfaces the administrativemodule 555 to the time multiplexed switch 557, so as to provide a routethrough the time multiplexed switch permitting two-way transfer ofcontrol related messages between the interface modules 551 and theadministrative module 555. In addition, the message switch 559terminates special data links, for example a link for receiving asynchronization carrier used to maintain digital synchronism.

The administrative module 555 includes an administrative moduleprocessor 561, which is a computer equipped with disc storage 563, foroverall control of CO operations. The administrative module processor561 communicates with the interface modules 551 through thecommunication module 553. The administrative module 555 also includesone or more input/output (I/O) processors 565 providing interfaces toterminal devices for technicians such as shown at 566 in the drawing anddata links to operations systems for traffic, billing, maintenance data,etc. A CCIS terminal 573 and an associated data unit 571 provide asignaling link between the administrative module processor 561 and anSS7 network connection to an STP or the like (see FIG. 10), forfacilitating call processing signal communications with other COs andwith the ISCP 540.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the administrative module 555 also includes acall store 567 and a program store 569. Although shown as separateelements for convenience, these are typically implemented as memoryelements within the computer serving as the administrative moduleprocessor 561. For each call in progress, the call store 567 storestranslation information retrieved from disc storage 563 together withrouting information and any temporary information needed for processingthe call. The program store 569 stores program instructions which directoperations of the computer serving as the administrative moduleprocessor.

Although shown as telephones in FIG. 10, the voice grade type terminalscan comprise any communication device compatible with a voice grade typetelephone line. Although all of the links to the telephone stations areillustrated as lines, those skilled in communications arts willrecognize that a variety of local transport media and combinationsthereof can be used between the end office switches and the actualtelephone stations, such as twisted wire pairs, subscriber loop carriersystems, radio frequency wireless (e.g., cellular) systems, etc.

In accord with this embodiment of the present invention, one or moreIntelligent Peripherals (IPs) are added to the network to provideauxiliary call processing capabilities. As shown in FIG. 10, two of theSSP type central offices 513 and 517 connect to Intelligent Peripherals535 and 537, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, the IPs eachconnect to the associated SSP switch via a primary rate IntegratedServices Digital Network (ISDN) link through an appropriate interfaceunit in one of the interface modules 551 of the switch (see FIG. 11).The ISDN link carries both voice and signaling data. The IPs alsoconnect via a packet switched data communication network, such as X.25,to the ISCP 540. The X.25 data communication network forms a secondsignaling network separate from the SS7 network and the network of trunkcircuits interconnecting the switching offices.

In an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) type system, such as shown inFIG. 10, certain telephone calls receive specialized AIN type processingunder control of data files stored in the SCP database 543 within theISCP 540. In such a network, the SSP type local offices of the publictelephone network include appropriate data in the translation tables forcustomers subscribing to AIN services to define certain call processingevents identified as AIN “triggers”. Using the translation table datafrom disc memory 563, the SSP will detect such triggering events duringprocessing of calls to or from such AIN service subscribers.

The SSP type switches can recognize a variety of events as triggers foractivating a query and response type AIN interaction with the ISCP. Anumber of different AIN triggers are used, depending on the precise typeof service the AIN will provide a particular subscriber. For example, ifa subscriber has a speech responsive autodialing service, an off-hookimmediate trigger may be stored in the translation table file for thatsubscriber in the SSP. The SSP would detect the trigger each time thesubscriber goes off-hook on that line and then attempt to obtain furtherinstructions from the ISCP.

For ordinary voice grade telephone service calls, there would be noevent to trigger AIN processing; and the local and toll office switcheswould function normally and process such calls without referring to theSCP database for instructions. In a first mode of operation, an SSP typeoffice (CO or tandem) which detects a trigger will suspend callprocessing, compile a TCAP formatted call data message and forward thatmessage via a common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) link andSTP(s) to the ISCP 540 which includes the SCP database 543. The ISCPaccesses its stored data tables to translate the received message datainto a call control message and returns the call control message to theoffice of the network via CCIS link and STP(s). The SSP then uses thecall control message to complete the particular call through thenetwork. For AIN calls requiring a processing feature provided by theperipheral platform, the call control message would instruct the SSP toroute the call to the associated peripheral platform.

In the network of FIG. 10, the ISCP 540 transmits a “SEND to RESOURCE”type TCAP message instructing an SSP, such as SSP 517, to access aresource and collect digits. This message identifies a particularresource, in this case an ISDN type voice channel to the associatedperipheral announcement platform 537. Each time the ISCP sends such a“SEND to RESOURCE” message to an SSP, the ISCP concurrently sends amessage through the X.25 data link to the associated peripheralannouncement platform. This message tells the platform what message toplay on the specified ISDN channel at that time. If the messageannouncement platform has a text-to-speech converter, the announcementcould take the form of virtually any desired script.

The IP 537 performs DTMF digit collection and voice announcementfunctions on telephone calls, for a wide variety of telephone servicesavailable through the network. According to this embodiment of theinvention as discussed in more detail later, the IP may also offer voicerecognition capabilities and may include various data communicationsmeans, e.g., for FAX mail services, E-mail services, etc., as well asvoice services.

The illustrated preferred form of this multifeature embodiment of theinvention includes two signaling communications systems carrying data toand from the ISCP 540. The communications links of the first suchsignaling network appear in the drawing as dashed lines, and thecommunications links of the second such signaling network appear in thedrawing as lines formed by parallel bars. The first signaling networkprovides communications between the ISCP 540 and the SSPs 511, 513, 515,517 and between the individual SSPs 511, 513, 515, 517. The secondsignaling network provides communications between the ISCP 540 and theIPs 535, 537. More specifically, the SCP 543 connects to the SSPs viathe SS7 network and the STPs 525 and 531. For the second signalingcommunication system a router shown as a small rectangle on the ring 544provides a two-way communication connection to a data network, forexample an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) type local area network, another tokenring, or a mixture of token ring and local area network, etc., going tothe individual IPs 535, 537. Other types of high speed data network canbe used between the ISCP 540 and the IPs 535, 537. Typically, the secondsignaling network will provide higher capacity data transport than thefirst signaling communication network.

One IP may connect to one SSP. Alternatively, an IP may connect to twoor more switching systems, or two or more IPs may connect to the sameswitching office. For example, in the illustrated network, the IP 535connects to two SSP type central office switching systems 513, 515. TheIP 537 connects to one SSP number central office switching system 517.The precise number of IPs in the network and the number there ofconnected to different switching systems is determined by projectedtraffic demands for IP service features from the subscribers, linesconnected to the various switching systems.

In the preferred embodiment, the connection from the IP to the SSP wouldutilize a primary rate ISDN type trunk line for carrying both voicechannels and signaling information. However, a number of alternateimplementations of this connection can be used. For example, theconnection may take the form of a T1 circuit carrying a number ofMultiplexed Centrex line channels. If additional data signaling isnecessary from the switch to the IP, a Simplified Message Desk Interface(SMDI) link can be provided. SMDI is a standard form of maintenanceport, available on many types of telephone switching systems, throughwhich calling party number information can be supplied. For olderswitching systems not capable of call transfer through ISDN signaling orsignaling on T1 Centrex lines, an additional switch could be addedbetween the IP and the SSP.

The AIN topology illustrated in FIG. 10 is exemplary in nature, andother network topologies can be used. For example, the illustratednetworks include SSP functionality in each of the end office switchingsystems. In some networks, at least some of the end offices may not haveSSP capabilities. Each such end office would connect to a trunk which inturn feeds calls to a tandem switching system with SSP capabilities. TheSSP tandem communicates with the ISCP, as in the implementationdescribed above. For the SSP capable end office switches that may bepresent in the network, they communicate directly with the ISCP, in thesame manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 10. In such networks, eachperipheral announcement platform or IP could connect to one or more ofthe non-SSP end offices, one or more SSP capable end offices and/or tothe SSP capable tandem. The SSP capable tandem office switch is adigital switch, such as the 5ESS switch from AT&T; and the non-SSP typeend offices might be 1A analog type switches.

FIG. 12 illustrates a first, preferred embodiment of the IP used in thenetwork of FIGS. 10 and 11. In this implementation, the IP consists oftwo or more general purpose computers 1101A, 1101B, such as IBMRS-6000s. Each general purpose computer will include a digital voiceprocessing card for sending and receiving speech and other audiofrequency signals, such as an IBM D-talk 600. Each voice processing cardwill connect to a voice server card 1103A or 1103B which provides theactual interface to T1 or primary rate interface ISDN trunks to the SSPtype switching office. The plurality of computers may have associateddedicated disk storage 1105A, 1105B, and the IP will include a shareddisk memory 107.

Each computer will also include an interface card for providing two-waycommunications over an internal data communications system, an Ethernettype local area network 1109. The Ethernet carries communicationsbetween the individual computers and between the computers and a routerwhich provides an interconnection to the second signaling communicationsnetwork going to the ISCP. A router 1111 connected to local area network1109 provides a two-way coupling of the IP to the second data network,for example an Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) type local area network, a tokenring, or a mixture of token ring and local area network, etc., at leastfor communications to and from the ISCP 540. If the X.25 network 220serves as the signaling network between the ISCP and the IPs, then onlyone such router connected to that network would be included within theIP.

The IP may also include another general purpose computer 1115 configuredas a terminal subsystem, for use as a maintenance and operations center(MOC) and providing operations personnel access to the IP. The number ofprocessors provided in the IP and the number of voice servers willdepend on project service demands. One additional processor andassociated voice server will be provided as a backup (not shown).

Each general purpose computer 1101A, 1101B will run a node manager, anIP/ISCP Interface program, appropriate voice processing software and avariety of application software modules to offer the proposed servicesof the IP. The central administrator or “Node Manager” program module,running on each computer, will monitor and control the various IPresources and operations.

The digital voice processing card and associated software will providespeech synthesis, speech recognition capabilities and DTMF tone signalreception, for use in a number of different applications. The speechsynthesis and DTMF tone signal reception, for example may replace theannouncement and digit collection functions of the SSP switches invarious existing AIN services. These functions can also be used topermit subscribers to input parameters relating to Internet services anda variety of other types of service program modules, for example a voicemail server module and/or a fax mail server module.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the IP used in thenetwork of FIG. 12. The alternate architecture utilizes separate modulesfor different types of services or functions. By way of example, thisversion of the IP may have one or two Direct Talk type voice servermodules 1203A, 1203B for interfacing the trunk to the SSP, a separatespeech recognition module 1205, a server module 1209 for voice mail, aserver 1207 for fax mail services, a server 1215 for E-mail and E-mailtype services, and an Internet interface, router or gateway module 1237for Internet connection. The speech recognition module 1205 preferablyprovides both speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversion capabilities,i.e., it may perform both speech recognition as well as speechsynthesis. The various modules communicate with one another via aninternal data communication system 1210, which again may be an Ethernettype local area network (LAN).

The Direct Talk modules 1203A, 1203B provide voice message transmission,dialed digit collection and autodialing capabilities, as in the earlierembodiment. The Direct Talk modules also include processor controlcapabilities as will be described. The modules 1203A, 1203B provide lineinterfaces for communications to and from those servers which do notincorporate line interfaces. For example, for facsimile mail, the DirectTalk module connected to a call may demodulate incoming facsimile dataand convert the data to a digital format compatible with the internaldata communication network or LAN 1210. The data would then betransferred over network 1210 to the fax server 1207. For outgoingfacsimile transmission, the server 1207 would transfer the data to oneof the Direct Talk modules over the network 1210. The Direct Talk modulewould reformat and/or modulate the data as appropriate for transmissionover the ISDN link to the SSP and provide any desired out dialing. TheDirect Talk modules provide a similar interface function for the otherservers, such as the voice mail server 1209 and E-mail server 1215.

The illustrated IP also includes a communication server 1213. Thecommunication server 1213 connects between the data communication system1210 and the router 1211 which provides communications access to thesecond signaling communication system and the ISCP 540 and other IPswhich connect to that signaling communication system. The communicationserver 1213 controls communications between the modules within the IPand the second signaling communication system and manages certainmodule-to-module communication within the IP. The SSP switch routesvoice grade telephone calls to the different elements of the IP inresponse to instructions from the ISCP.

In the initial implementation using general purpose computers (FIG. 12),each of which offers all service functionalities, the decision to routeto a particular one of the computers would be a resourceavailability/allocation decision. If necessary data can be exchangedbetween the computers via the internal data communications network,e.g., if a message for a particular subscriber's service is stored inthe disc memory associated with one computer but the other computer isactually processing the call.

In the second implementation (FIG. 13) the ISCP may instruct the SSP toroute the call to the Direct Talk module or server with instructions forfurther routing within the IP to the specific module capable ofproviding a calling customer's requested service. For example, if thesubscriber has some form of speech recognition service, the call may berouted to the speech recognition module or resource 1205 within the IP.If the subscriber has a voice mail service, however, the ISCP mayinstruct the SSP to route the call to one of the lines going to one ofthe voice server modules 1203A, 1203B and thence to the voice mailmodule 1209. The modules 1203A or 1203B may receive outgoing voicemessages from the voice mail server 1209 for transmission to the caller.The modules 1203A or 1203B may decode DTMF signals and supplyappropriate data to the voice mail server for control purposes. Themodules 1203A or 1203B will also format incoming voice messages fortransmission over internal network 1210 and storage by voice mail server1209.

Communications between the IP and the ISCP alternatively may utilizegeneric data interface (GDI). The GDI command set is simpler and moregeneric, and the commands can carry more data. Also, either the ISCP orthe IP can initiate communications using GDI. This permits a widervariety of routing and processing routines. Again using a voicetelephone call as an example, in response to a triggering event, the SSPmay again receive instructions to route a call in progress to the IP.However, rather than waiting for a subsequent query from the IP, whilethe SSP is routing the call the ISCP may instruct the IP to prepare toreceive a call on a particular circuit. For example, for a call whichmight require speech recognition processing, the ISCP may instruct theIP to retrieve appropriate recognition templates from memory.

As outlined briefly above, the IP 537 performs a variety of functions onAIN type voice grade calls, in addition to the control functionsrelating to the Internet services.

The operation of the system of the invention is now described in termsof examples of its multifaceted modes of operation.

EXAMPLE 1

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 13, a caller desiring to use the new servicedials from a telephone station such as A in FIG. 10 or 1239 in FIG. 13 apredetermined advertised directory number. The receiving SSP (511 inFIG. 10 and 1241 in FIG. 13) recognizes this number as requiring a TCAPquery to the ISCP 540 via intervening STP(s). The ISCP returns a Send toResource message to the SSP directing the SSP to route the call to theIntelligent Peripheral (IP) 535. Simultaneously, the ISCP may dispatch adata message over the second data network to the IP communicationsserver 1213. In response to its instructions from the ISCP the SSP 1241connects the calling telephone station 1239 to one of the IP Direct Talkservers 1203A or 1203B. The IP communications server 1213 pursuant toits instructions from the ISCP directs the Direct Talk server 1203A toplay a series of information gathering prompts and collect digits whichare keyed in by the caller in response to the prompts. These promptsquery the caller as to the service desired, collect information, andprovide information. The information obtained by the Direct Talk serverwill include information as to the type of input desired, the type ofdelivery desired, and destination address information. The destinationinformation comprises at least the destination telephone directorynumber and possibly a facsimile number and/or an E-mail address.

In the case where the caller indicates a desire to send a voice messagefor voice delivery, the Direct Talk server 1203A and IP communicationserver 1213 in response to these instructions direct the voice mailserver 1209 to handle the message. This voice mail server may be of thetype described in detail in connection with the previously discussedembodiment of the invention and the voice mail system illustrated inFIG. 5. The voice mail server and the caller then interact in the mannerpreviously described to deposit or store in the voice mail server themessage to be transmitted. Following the caller pressing the “send” key,as directed in the voice prompt interchange, the message is transferredfrom the voice mail server 1209 to the Internet interface 1237 andthence to the Internet 414, in the manner described in detail inconnection with the above-described voice mail embodiment of theinvention.

The message thus dispatched is transferred via the Internet to thetelephone system represented by the destination Telco cloud shown, forexample, in FIG. 8. This telephone system is similar to that illustratedin FIGS. 10 and 13. The message arrives from the Internet cloud 414 inFIG. 13 at the Internet interface 1237 at the destination or receivingIntelligent Peripheral (IP) 535. The received TCP/IP Internet messageincorporates in its header the necessary addressing and instructions fordelivery. These instructions are decoded in the recipient Internetinterface 1237 and IP communications server 1213 and the incomingmessage delivered to the voice mail server 1209 for storage andsubsequent delivery, as described in connection with the previouslydiscussed embodiments of the invention. The delivery may be effectedfrom the voice mail storage in voice mail server 1209 via the LAN 1210to one of the Direct Talk servers 1203A or 1203B. The selected DirectTalk server connects to an SSP in the destination or recipient telephonenetwork. Connection is made from that SSP to the destination directorynumber to connect to telephone station 1239.

EXAMPLE 2

In the case where a caller indicates a desire to input a voice messagefor delivery by facsimile, the initial sequence may be as previouslydescribed in connection with Example 1. However, in this instance therequested voice to facsimile communication requires that the speech berecognized and converted to text. Thus, the Direct Talk server 1203A andthe IP communication server 1213, as a result of the interactiveexchange and direction, instruct the voice recognition resource 1205 tohandle the message. As previously described this resource is capable ofspeech-to-text as well as text-to-speech conversion. It is also providedwith storage and message handling capabilities of the type described forthe voice mail system or resource illustrated in FIG. 5. When themessage is voice inputted and stored in a form acceptable to the callerand the caller presses the “send key,” the stored voice message isprocessed by the voice recognition resource and translated to text. Thetext is stored in text form in the voice recognition resource 1205. Thistext message is then transferred from the voice recognition resource1205 via the LAN 1210 to the Internet interface 1237 and thence to theInternet in the manner previously described.

When the message is received at the destination telephone network it isprocessed through the Internet interface to that network into theprotocol of the IP LAN 1210. The address and instruction informationencapsulated in the message is handled by the IP communications serverand the text message is directed to the facsimile server 1207. Thefacsimile server also is provided with input and output storage andprocessing capabilities analogous to those provided in the voice mailsystem of FIG. 5. The facsimile server buffers the text message andtranslates it to facsimile protocol, including the facsimile addressinformation and instructions for handling. The message is then deliveredto one of the Direct Talk servers 1203A or 1203B.

The selected Direct Talk server outdials the facsimile address directorynumber into the SSP 1241. Upon connection being established thefacsimile message is delivered from the SSP to the recipient facsimilemachine 1243 which is connected to the destination telephone network.The facsimile server 1207 and/or Direct Talk server incorporate aconventional redial functionality wherein the destination number isperiodically redialed if the initial attempt is unsuccessful. Also,while the facsimile server 1207 is preferably provided with its owninput and output storage, it is possible to utilize for this purpose thestorage available in the voice mail server 1209. In this instance, theIP communications server, facsimile server and voice mail server willdirect the appropriate flow of message and control information betweenthose servers over the LAN 1210. As a still further alternative, amultipurpose in and out storage (not shown) may be provided for the IPand connected to the LAN 1210 to handle necessary storage for allconnected servers.

EXAMPLE 3

In the situation where the caller indicates a desire to deposit a voicemessage for delivery as an E-mail type message, this information isobtained through the initial interactive voice prompt and speechinterchange previously described. This type of delivery also requiresspeech recognition and speech-to-text conversion. Thus the caller'smessage is obtained and translated to text by the voice recognitionresource 1205 as described in connection with foregoing Example 2. Inthis case the text is delivered from the speech recognition resource1205 to the E-mail server 1215 for translation into E-mail style format.The same in-storage and out-storage occurs in the E-mail server and thetranslated E-mail type message is delivered to the Internet interface1234. The message is then delivered via the Internet to the destinationtelephone system in the case of E-mail type messages. However, in thesituation where the sending party provides an Internet Email address,the message which was inputted as a voice message may be delivereddirectly to the addressee by the Internet.

Upon receipt of the E-mail type message at the destination telephonesystem, the message is forwarded from the recipient Internet interfaceto a Direct Talk server. The Direct Talk server connects to thedestination local loop and destination PC, such as the PC 1245.

While the translation from the text protocol which results from thespeech-to-text translation in the speech recognition resource wastranslated into E-mail protocol by the E-mail server 1215 at the sendingor originating end before traversing the Internet, the translation toE-mail protocol may occur at the receiving end, in the case of E-mailtype messages. Thus, the product of the speech-to-text conversion in thesending IP may be conveyed directly to its Internet interface. Themessage is then sent via the Internet to the destination telephonenetwork. At the destination network the output of the Internet interfacemay be fed to the destination IP E-mail server for translation to thenecessary E-mail protocol for delivery to the destination PC. It will berecognized in all instances that the LAN 1210 maintains its own internalprotocol and encapsulates the various received and delivered protocolswith the necessary translations in the respective servers.

EXAMPLE 4

In the preceding examples, the caller has expressed the desire to inputthe message as a voice message. The invention also entails a callerrequesting input in the form of a data signal. This may be a facsimileinput from a facsimile machine 1243 or an E-mail type input, such as aninput from a PC 1245. In such cases the desires of the caller areascertained from the initial interactive exchange of voice prompts andspoken directions via the telephone terminal. The results of thisinteraction are signaled to the originating IP 535. This causes eitherthe E-mail server 1215 or facsimile server 1207 to undertake handling ofthe message. Storage occurs in the selected server as previouslydescribed and the appropriate protocol message is delivered by theE-mail server or the facsimile server to the Internet interface. Theinput in this situation is from either the facsimile machine 1243 or thePC 1245 after the connection to the IP has been established.

The message is then transmitted through the Internet to the destinationtelephone system wherein the recipient Internet interface delivers themessage to a Direct Talk server and then to the destination facsimilemachine or PC in the destination telephone network. Alternative to thisprocedure the originating or source IP may deliver the data signals fromthe facsimile machine or PC, as the case may be, through the Direct Talkserver to the originating Internet interface. The signal is thendelivered via the Internet to the destination Internet interface withappropriate header instructions for handling by the destination IP.Thus, the destination IP may direct the message to the E-mail server1215 or facsimile server 1207 for processing prior to delivery to thedestination Direct Talk server and its connection to the destinationfacsimile machine 1243 or PC 1245. Such an Internet transmission may beused in preference to conventional facsimile-to-facsimile service wherelarge distances are being traversed. In the case of true Internet E-mailmessages delivery may be made directly by the Internet as previouslydescribed.

The invention offers the advantage that the user has the option to havethe facsimile or E-mail type messages delivered by voice if the user sodesires. In this case the incoming text message in the receiving IP issent to the text-to-voice function of the voice recognition resource.From there it is delivered over a Direct Talk server to the destinationtelephone station.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the embodiment of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 10-13 provides to the public at large the abilityto transfer messages over the long distances spanned by the Internet forinput and delivery in any of a variety of formats, without the user ofthe service having access to the Internet or possessing the equipmentneeded to produce a facsimile or E-mail signal. Voice input is effectiveto achieve such an end through a voice prompt system with which thepublic is familiar. As with the earlier described voice mailboxembodiment of the invention, the calling party may request a reply, andthis may be delivered by the receiving party in a similar fashionwithout the need for individual Internet access. This embodiment of theinvention also makes possible the dispatch and delivery of facsimile orE-mail type messages through voice connection to the local telephonecompany or network.

It will be readily seen by one of ordinary skill in the art that thepresent invention fulfills all of the objects set forth above. Afterreading the foregoing specification, one of ordinary skill will be ableto effect various changes, substitutions of equivalents and variousother aspects of the invention as broadly disclosed herein. It istherefore intended that the protection granted hereon be limited only bythe definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication system comprising: a first switched telephone network having central office switching systems connected by trunks and having subscriber lines connected to central offices in said switching systems providing connection between telephone terminals connected to said subscriber lines through said first switched telephone network; a second switched telephone network having central office switching systems connected by trunks and having subscriber lines connected to central offices in said switching systems providing connection between telephone terminals connected to said subscriber lines through said second switched telephone network; at least one said switched telephone network further comprising a Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) network for establishing routing of calls through the trunks and lines, a Services Control Point (SCP) connected to said CCIS network for data message communication over the CCIS network, a centralized messaging system linked to said SCP by a separate dedicated private data network, and an Internet interface for connection of said centralized messaging system to the public Internet using transmission protocols to provide packet delivery service through the public Internet between said first and second switched telephone networks; said messaging system including multiple selectable protocol conversion modules capable of different conversions whereby said messaging system accepts inputs of multiple protocols and provides outputs of varying protocols, said Internet interface transmitting to and receiving from the public Internet packet signals using said transmission protocols; said messaging system further including modules selectably connecting said messaging system to said central offices to receive input signals therefrom and transmit output signals thereto; ones of said protocol conversion modules being selectable in response to signals input to one of said central offices by a telephone station connected thereto.
 2. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a voice signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or a digital data signal at the election of the calling user.
 3. A communication system according to claim 2 wherein said election by said user is made through a telephone station.
 4. A communication system according to claim 3 wherein said election is made responsive to voice prompts from one of said messaging systems.
 5. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules in said messaging system comprises a voice recognition module for converting voice signals to digital text signals.
 6. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules in said messaging system comprises a voice synthesis module for translating digital text signals to voice signals.
 7. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said modules in said messaging system comprises a voice recognition module for converting voice signals to digital text signals and at least one of said modules in said messaging system comprises a voice synthesis module for translating digital text signals to voice signals.
 8. A communication system according to claim 7 wherein a user of said communication system may input a voice signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or a digital data signal at the election of the calling user.
 9. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a voice signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the Internet to a station identified by said user a data message in text form containing the information in said voice signal.
 10. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a voice signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or a facsimile signal at the election of the calling user.
 11. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a voice signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or an E-mail signal at the election of the calling user.
 12. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a data signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or a digital data signal at the election of the inputting user.
 13. A communication system according to claim 1 wherein a user of said communication system may input a data signal into either of said first and second switched telephone networks on a subscriber line connected to a central office in said switched telephone office and output from the other of said switched telephone networks over a subscriber line a voice signal or a digital data signal at the election of the inputting user made over said inputting subscriber line.
 14. A centralized messaging system for use with a switched telephone network having central office switching systems connected in a voice network by trunks, subscriber lines connected to central office switching systems, a Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) network for establishing routing of calls through the trunks and lines, and a service control point connected to said CCIS network for data message communication over the CCIS network, said centralized messaging system comprising: storage means for storing messages receivable from or deliverable to said switched telephone network; a first interface for connection to said voice network; a second interface for connection to a dedicated private data network linked to said service control point; an Internet interface for connection to the public Internet using transmission protocols to provide packet delivery service via the public Internet; and multiple selectable protocol conversion modules capable of different conversions for accepting message inputs of multiple protocols and providing outputs of varying protocols; wherein said conversion modules are selectable in response to signals received from the switched telephone network and originated by a telephone station connected to a subscriber line in the network.
 15. A centralized messaging system for use with a switched telephone network having central office switching systems connected in a voice network by trunks, subscriber lines connected to central office switching systems, a Common Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) network for establishing routing of calls through the trunks and lines, and a service control point connected to said CCIS network for data message communication over the CCIS network, said centralized messaging system comprising: storage for storing messages receivable from or deliverable to said switched telephone network; a first interface for connection to said voice network; a second interface for connection to a private data channel linked to said service control point; an Internet interface for connection to the public Internet using transmission protocols to provide packet delivery service via the public Internet; and multiple selectable protocol conversion modules capable of different conversions for accepting message inputs of multiple protocols and providing outputs of varying protocols; wherein said conversion modules are selectable in response to signals received from the switched telephone network and originated by a telephone station connected to a subscriber line in the network. 